Here are some provisions in the IHCIA that were passed with the Senate health reform bill yesterday (March 23, 2010).  Please note that the IHCIA is an "authorizing bill" which means that it authorizes Congress to fund many of the programs listed, but funding isn't automatically available.  Some items in this bill will need additional funding from Congress to be implemented.  We will be reviewing the bill to see what we are required to implement now and in the near future, and what needs additional funding.

THE INDIAN HEALTH CARE IMPROVEMENT REAUTHORIZATION AND EXTENSION ACT AS INCLUDED IN HR 3590

• Permanently reauthorizes the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.
• Community Health Aid Program.
• Health professional chronic shortage demonstration program.
• Exemption from payment of certain fees.
• Other authority for provision of services; Shared Services for Long-term Care
• Reimbursement from Certain Third Parties for Cost of Health Services
• Crediting of Reimbursements
• Behavioral Health Training and Community Education Programs
• Patient Travel Costs
• Epidemiology Centers
• Prevention, Control, and Elimination of Communicable and Infectious Diseases
• Methods to increase clinician recruitment and retention
• Office of Indian Men's and Indian Women's Health
• Contract Health Services Administration & Distribursement Formula
• Indian Health Care Delivery Demonstration Projects
• Tribal Management of Federally Owned Quarters
• Section Other - Funding, Equipment and Supplies for Facilities
• Section 144 - Indian Country Modular Component Facilities Demonstration Program
• Section 145 - Mobile Health Stations Demonstration Program

Access to Health Services (Medicare/Medicaid/Children's Health Insurance Program)

• Treatment of payments under the Social Security Act health benefits programs
• Purchasing health care coverage
• Grants to and contracts with the Service, Indian tribes, tribal organization, and urban Iindian organizations
• Sharing arrangements with Federal Agencies
• Eligible Indian Veteran's services
• Nondiscrimination under Federal health care programs
• Access to Federal Insurance
• General Exceptions
• Navajo Nation Medicaid Agency Feasibility Study

Health Services to Urban Indians

• Requirement to Confer with Urban Indian Organizations
• Expand Program Authority for Urban Indian Organizations
• Community Health Representatives

Organizational Improvements

• Establishment of the Indian Health Services as an Agency of the Public Health Service
• Office of Direct Services Tribes
• Nevada Area Office

Behavioral Health Programs

• Behavioral Health Programs
• Section 702 - Behavioral Health Prevention and Treatment Services
• Section 703 - Memoranda of Agreement with the Department of the Interior
• Comprehensive Behavioral Health Prevention and Treatment Program
• Mental Health Technician Program
• Licensing Requirement for Mental Health Care Workers
• Indian Women Treatment Programs
• Indian Youth Program
• Inpatient and Community-Based Mental Health Facilities Design, Construction and Staffing
• Training and Community Education
• Behavioral Health Program
• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Programs
• Child Sexual Abuse and Prevention Treatment Programs
• Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment
• Behavioral Health Research

Indian Youth Suicide Prevention

• Findings and Purpose: Sets out Congressional findings on the high prevalence of suicide among Indian youth and establishes a framework for addressing this critical situation.
• Definitions: Includes necessary and applicable definitions, including telemental health
• Indian Youth Telemental Health Demonstration Project
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Grants
• Use of Predoctoral Psychology and Psychiatry Interns
• Indian Youth Life Skills Development Demonstration Program

Mscellaneous

• Confidentiality of Medical Quality Assurance Records; qualified immunity for participants
• Arizona, North Dakota and South Dakota as Contract Health Service Delivery Areas
• Methods to increase access to professionals of certain corps
• Health Services for ineligible persons
• Annual Budget Submission
• Prescription Drug Monitoring
• Tribal Health Program Option for Cost Sharing
• Disease and Injury Prevention Report
• Other GAO Reports - Coordination of Services
• Traditional Health Care Practices
• Director of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment

Full IHCIA Summary