WHEREAS, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), established in 1972, serves all Federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribal governments by advocating for the improvement of health care delivery to AI/ANs, as well as upholding the Federal government’s trust responsibility to AI/AN Tribal governments; and

WHEREAS, the Federal government of the United States has a unique and special relationship with American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) to provide health care as established through the U.S. Constitution, Treaties with Indian Tribes, U.S. Supreme Court decisions and Federal legislation; and

WHEREAS, the unmet health needs of AI/ANs are severe and the health status of AI/ANs is far below that of the general population of the United States, resulting in an average life expectancy for American Indians and Alaska Natives that is 4.2 years less than that for the U.S. all races population; and

WHEREAS, the Indian Health Service (IHS), an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, addresses these disparities by administering health care to over 2 million AI/ANs residing in Tribal communities in 37 states, directly, or through contracts or compacts with Tribes and Tribal organizations under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act; and

WHEREAS, IHS has not had a permanent director since the beginning of President Joe Biden’s term; and

WHEREAS, the appointment of a director to IHS should demonstrate the Biden Administration’s commitment to fulfilling the federal government’s trust responsibility to protect the interests of Indian Tribes and communities.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Health Board calls on President Joe Biden to nominate an IHS Director in order to ensure that IHS has a leader who can set forth a vision to address the health disparities that AI/AN people face.

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be the policy of NIHB until it is withdrawn or modified by subsequent resolution.