IHS Provider Expansion Act

Bill Number

H.R. 3670

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Native Americans

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-06-11: Subcommittee Hearings Held

Last Updated

2026-06-24T08:08:19Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The IHS Provider Expansion Act aims to strengthen the workforce in the Indian Health Service (IHS) by creating a dedicated office to manage and expand graduate medical education programs. This focuses on training and retaining health care professionals to serve Native American and Alaska Native communities, addressing shortages in rural and underserved areas.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of the Office: The Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the IHS, must create the Office of Graduate Medical Education Programs within the IHS.
• Office Duties:
• Develop pathways ("pipeline") for future health care professionals, support staff (paraprofessionals), and related experts to join residency and fellowship training programs.
• Manage existing training programs at IHS facilities and help start new ones to attract and keep skilled workers at these sites.
• Act as the main coordination point for all IHS residency programs.
• Partner with universities and other academic organizations.
• Organize rotations and educational tracks for medical students.
• Interagency Working Group:
• Formed with input from the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Labor, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA, which supports health workforce development), and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS, which oversees health insurance programs).
• The group will help set up the Office, guide its rollout, and plan for its ongoing viability.
• Must submit quarterly reports to Congress starting 120 days after the bill's enactment, continuing every three months.
• The group dissolves after 10 years.
• Funding: Authorizes at least $4 million for fiscal year 2027 and the same amount each year after, but actual spending depends on Congress approving the budget.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (a 1976 law reauthorized in 2010 that expands health services for Native Americans) by adding a new section (Section 125). It introduces a centralized office and interagency coordination specifically for graduate medical training in IHS, which were not previously formalized. No existing programs are altered, but this builds on them by enhancing oversight and expansion.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The IHS gains a structured way to train staff, potentially reducing turnover and improving service delivery. Partner agencies (VA, Labor, HRSA, CMS) will collaborate initially, sharing expertise but with limited long-term involvement after 10 years.
• On Citizens: Native American and Alaska Native communities could see better access to health care due to more trained providers in IHS facilities, which serve about 2.6 million people. It may indirectly benefit rural health care overall by fostering a diverse workforce.
• On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic tribal health services.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• IHS and Tribal Health Facilities: Directly responsible for implementing and benefiting from expanded training.
• Health Care Professionals and Students: Gain opportunities for residencies, fellowships, and rotations, especially those interested in serving underserved populations.
• Native American Tribes and Communities: Primary beneficiaries through improved health services and culturally competent care.
• Academic Institutions: Involved in partnerships for training programs.
• Federal Agencies: VA, Labor, HRSA, and CMS provide initial support via the working group.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens federal obligations under treaties and laws like the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to provide health services to tribes, without creating new enforceable rights. The 10-year working group term ensures temporary bureaucracy.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over federal agencies and Indian affairs (Article I, Section 8), promoting equal protection in health care for Native populations without raising separation-of-powers issues.
• Political: Could face debate over funding priorities in a tight budget, but it builds bipartisan support for tribal health by addressing workforce shortages. No major controversies anticipated, as it focuses on administrative enhancements rather than policy overhauls.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-11: Subcommittee Hearings Held
• 2025-06-04: Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs.
• 2025-06-04: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2428)
• 2025-06-02: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-06-02: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-06-02: Introduced in House
• 2025-06-02: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• IHS Provider Expansion Act — issued 2025-06-02 — PDF (4 pages)