The Federal Neglect of the Indian Health Service: Root Causes of Inadequate Health Systems for Native Americans and Recommendations for Future Action

This article examines both the historical and current government actions that have rendered the Indian Health Service a highly inefficient agency unable to address the poor health outcomes of the Native American community. Findings reveal disparities in funding levels between the Indian Health Service and other government-sponsored healthcare programs, room for growth in the IHS\u27 culturally-conscious programming, and a severe provider shortage across the organization. A study of the COVID-19 pandemic\u27s toll on the Navajo Nation and its healthcare facilities highlights these existing issues at the IHS as well as the organization\u27s ill-preparedness for public health emergencies. Recommendations for future IHS reforms include reclassification of the IHS as a mandatory government spending program, increased emphasis on community-based, culturally-conscious IHS programming, and recruitment of more Native American providers