Bill · S. 3767· Senate(119-S-3767)
Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 2/3/2026
- Last activity
- 2/3/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Catherine Cortez Masto
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2026," seeks to amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. The primary purpose is to elevate the position of Director of the Indian Health Service to the position of Assistant Secretary for Indian Health within the Department of Health and Human Services. It changes the reporting structure and updates various legal references to reflect this new title. Additionally, the bill grants the Assistant Secretary authority to appoint a Deputy Assistant Secretary and employ necessary staff.
Yes· 3 of 4
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+3
The elevation of the Indian Health Service leadership to an Assistant Secretary position is designed to better serve the health needs of Native Americans.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+3
The bill elevates the leadership of the Indian Health Service to an Assistant Secretary level to strengthen the administration of Indian health services.
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+3
By elevating the status of the Indian Health Service leadership, the bill seeks to provide more effective administration of healthcare for Native American communities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Elevated Leadership Position: The bill elevates the position of Director of the Indian Health Service to Assistant Secretary for Indian Health, which changes the reporting structure (Section 2(a)(1)(A)).
-
Expanded Staffing Authority: The Assistant Secretary is granted the authority, with approval from the Secretary, to appoint a Deputy Assistant Secretary and employ various officers and employees, including attorneys, to administer the activities of the Service (Section 2(a)(1)(A)(5)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+3
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2
- 2/3/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Mike RoundsRepublican · South Dakota