The provision of health care to American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) is a treaty right/trust obligation of the United States and the trustee is Congress. The United States assumed this responsibility through a series of treaties with Tribes, exchanging compensation and benefits for Tribal land and peace. Congress has consistently legislatively affirmed this responsibility.

American Indians & Alaska Natives Experience Significant Health Disparities

To facilitate upholding its trust responsibility, the Federal government created the Indian Health Service (IHS) and tasked the agency with providing health services to AI/ANs. Today, the IHS serves approximately 2.2 million AI/ANs.