Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2025
The Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2025 would elevate the head of the Indian Health Service (IHS) from a Director to an Assistant Secretary for Indian Health within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The bill would rename the position, require the Assistant Secretary to report directly to the HHS Secretary, and authorize a Deputy Assistant Secretary and staff (including attorneys) to assist in administering IHS. It would also align federal law with the new title, specify the date that governs the office’s duties, and adjust pay scales to reflect the higher rank. In short, the bill seeks to give higher seniority, broader authority, and more direct accountability for Indian health programs and the IHS, potentially strengthening government-to-government engagement with Tribes to improve health outcomes. The measure would require amendments to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act and related federal pay statutes. It is introduced and referred to committees for consideration and has not yet been enacted into law.
Key Points
- 1Establishes an Assistant Secretary for Indian Health within HHS, replacing the current Director of the Indian Health Service, with the Assistant Secretary reporting directly to the HHS Secretary.
- 2Creates a Deputy Assistant Secretary position (with approval of the Secretary) and authorizes the hiring of necessary staff, including attorneys, to administer the Service.
- 3Amends duties and references throughout the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to reflect the new title (Assistant Secretary) and to set the date of enactment of this act as the trigger for the new position.
- 4Updates references across federal law so that any mention of the Director of the IHS is deemed to refer to the Assistant Secretary.
- 5Adjusts pay scales to reflect the higher rank: the Assistant Secretary would be placed at the appropriate level in the pay system (updating 5 U.S.C. 5315 and 5316 accordingly).