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Tribal advocates and lawmakers back elevating IHS director to assistant secretary to boost Indian health focus
Summary
Supporters of H.R. 741 told a House subcommittee elevating the Indian Health Service director to an assistant secretary position at HHS could give tribal health issues a direct line to the HHS secretary, strengthen hiring and pay authorities, and improve interagency coordination — but proponents said Congress must also fund IHS adequately.
The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs heard testimony in favor of H.R. 741, the Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2025, which would elevate the director of the Indian Health Service (IHS) to an assistant secretary position within the Department of Health and Human Services.
A.C. Locklear, identified as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the National Indian Health Board, told the subcommittee that elevating the IHS director “would raise the…
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