2020 Letters
October 13, 2021
The Acting Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to initiate Urban Confer to seek input and recommendations on how to improve the process for requesting Federal assistance for medical supplies. [PDF - 375 KB]October 5, 2021
The Acting Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide an update on the Indian Health Service's (IHS) position related to the eligibility of the Seminole Freedmen of the Seminole Nation to receive health services from the IHS or by a Tribal health program or an Urban Indian Organization. [PDF - 342 KB]October 4, 2021
The Acting Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders in follow-up to the virtual Urban Confer on the Urban Indian Organization Infrastructure Study. [PDF - 186 KB]October 4, 2021
The Acting Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to continue Urban Confer to seek input and recommendations on the draft Indian Health Service Policy on Conferring with Urban Indian Organizations. [PDF - 232 KB]August 13, 2021
The Acting Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to initiate Urban Confer to seek input and recommendations on mandatory funding approaches at the Indian Health Service. This Urban Confer complements the Tribal Consultation initiated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. [PDF - 234 KB]August 9, 2021
The Acting Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide an update on ongoing Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer concerning modernization of the Health Information Technology infrastructure supported by the Indian Health Service. A link to the Statement of Objectives is included for review and comment. [PDF - 234 KB]July 16, 2021
The Acting Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to initiate Urban Confer to seek input and recommendations on calculating an All-Inclusive Rate for Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs). [PDF - 247 KB]July 15, 2021
The Acting Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to announce an Urban Confer session to seek input on developing and implementing an infrastructure study on facilities operated by Urban Indian Organizations. [PDF - 272 KB]July 14, 2021
The Acting Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to share information about a new incentive program available to eligible United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Officers assigned to Tribal and Urban Indian health programs. [PDF - 216 KB]June 30, 2021
The Acting Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to request assistance in identifying priority health professions for inclusion into categories eligible for the IHS Scholarship Program in academic year 2022-2023 and the IHS Loan Repayment Program in fiscal year 2022. [PDF - 173 KB]- Enclosure: 2022 Priority Chart – Loan Repayment Program Survey [PDF - 216KB]
- Enclosure: 2022 Priority Chart – Scholarship Program Survey [PDF - 264 KB]
June 22, 2021
UPDATED LETTER: The Acting Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to announce the allocation decisions for approximately $1.8 billion in resources appropriated to the Indian Health Service in the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021. [PDF - 261 KB]May 26, 2021
The Acting Director invites Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to participate in Agency-sponsored Listening Sessions to share information and solicit input on next steps for our ongoing Indian Health Service Health Information Technology Modernization Project.
[PDF - 228 KB]May 14, 2021
The Acting Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to request your participation in an Electronic Health Record data call.
[PDF - 443 KB]- Enclosure - IHS Congressional Tribal EHR Data Call Template [PDF - 144 KB]
April 27, 2021
The Acting Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to initiate Urban Confer to seek input and recommendations to improve the Indian Health Service Policy on Conferring with Urban Indian Organizations. [PDF - 366 KB]April 16, 2021
The Acting Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to announce allocation decisions for approximately $4.3 billion in new resources appropriated to the IHS in the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021. [PDF - 267 KB]April 1, 2021
The Acting Director writes to inform Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders of the next steps in the Indian Health Service Health Information Technology Modernization initiative. [PDF - 194 KB]March 31, 2021
The Acting Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to initiate Urban Confer on two Indian Health Service initiatives: (1) the use of $5 million from the Fiscal Year 2021 appropriations that the IHS has allocated to address Alzheimer's disease; and (2) the use of $5 million in funding for Ending the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Epidemic: A Plan for America, which was allocated to support work toward the elimination of HIV and hepatitis C in Indian Country. [PDF - 207 KB]March 26, 2021
The Acting Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to announce an updated allocation of $95 million in telehealth funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. [PDF - 187 KB]March 22, 2021
The Acting Director notifies Urban Indian Organization leaders that on January 3, 2021, Congress amended 25 U.S.C. § 5321(d) to extend Federal Tort Claims Act coverage to Urban Indian Organizations and their employees to the same extent and in the same manner as to Tribes and Tribal Organizations. [PDF - 221 KB]March 8, 2021
The Acting Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to initiate Urban Confer to seek rapid input regarding the potential allocation of $6 billion currently under consideration by Congress as part of the Administration's American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. [PDF - 249 KB]February 5, 2021
The Acting Director notifies Urban Indian Organization Leaders that the Indian Health Service has extended the comment submission deadline until March 2, 2021, on the Urban Confer initiated to complement the joint Tribal Consultation seeking input on the draft revised memorandum of understanding between the Indian Health Service and Veterans Health Administration and provides information for an upcoming Virtual Listening Session scheduled for February 17, 2021. [PDF - 171 KB]February 2, 2021
The Acting Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to announce the allocation decisions for the $210 million in new resources transferred from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to the Indian Health Service to support COVID-19 vaccine related activities in American Indian and Alaska Native communities authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. [PDF - 312 KB]January 19, 2021
RADM Weahkee sends a farewell letter to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders. [PDF - 167 KB]January 15, 2021
The Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders about the Indian Health Service Urban Emergency Fund. [PDF - 184 KB]The Director informs Urban Indian Organization Leaders of the distribution decision by the Indian Health Service on the fiscal year 2021 Urban Indian Health funding increase. [PDF - 69 KB]
The Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to announce the allocation decisions for $790 million in new resources transferred from the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund to the Indian Health Service to support COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, containment, mitigation, and related activities for monitoring and suppressing COVID-19 in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, Pub. L. No. 116-260, Div. M, Title III. [PDF - 227 KB]
December 29, 2020
The Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to initiate Urban Confer on the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021. [PDF - 191 KB]December 10, 2020
The Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide an update and invite input on next steps for health information technology modernization at the Indian Health Service. [PDF - 331 KB]December 2, 2020
The Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to initiate Urban Confer to seek input on a draft revised Memorandum of Understanding between the VHA and the IHS. [PDF - 302 KB]- Enclosure - Draft Revised VA-IHS Memorandum of Understanding [PDF - 159 KB]
November 18, 2020
The Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to issue the Indian Health Service COVID-19 Pandemic Vaccine Plan. [PDF - 167 KB]November 6, 2020
The Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide an update on Indian Health Service COVID-19 vaccination planning efforts. [PDF - 263 KB]- CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program Urban Indian Organization Agreement – Vaccines Coordinated through IHS [PDF - 260 KB]
- IHS Area Vaccine Point of Contact [PDF - 17 KB]
October 29, 2020
The Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide clarification on COVID-19 vaccination of non-beneficiaries. [PDF - 303 KB]October 23, 2020
The IHS Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide an update on short-term continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2021 that affect Tribal Health Programs with performance periods starting within the current continuing resolution period for October 1, 2020 through December 11, 2020. [PDF - 269 KB]October 14, 2020
The Director notifies Urban Indian Organization Leaders about a comment period, open through October 21, to request input on the Indian Health Service COVID-19 Pandemic Vaccine Draft Plan. [PDF - 66 KB]September 25, 2020
The Director initiates Urban Confer to seek input from Urban Indian Organization Leaders on COVID-19 vaccination planning for Indian Country. [PDF - 296 KB]September 16, 2020
The Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide updates regarding the Indian Health Service Resource and Patient Management System meeting the 2015 Edition Certification Requirements Published by the Office of the the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. [PDF - 1.36 MB]- Enclosure: Applying for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Merit Based Incentive Payment System Program Hardship Exceptions. [PDF - 158 KB]
September 11, 2020
The Deputy Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to announce the selection of the new Director for the Office of Urban Indian Health Programs. [PDF - 233 KB]July 2, 2020
The Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to initiate Urban Confer on the use of approximately $30 million in offset and prior-year funds from the Special Diabetes Program for Indians. [PDF - 408 KB]June 29, 2020
The Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to share the Indian Health Service fiscal year 2019 Urban Indian Health Budget Report. [PDF - 213 KB]- Enclosure: Office of Urban Indian Health Programs-Fiscal Year 2019 Budget to Support Urban Indian Organizations [PDF - 126 KB]
May 22, 2020
The Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to request assistance in identifying priority health professions for inclusion into categories eligible for the IHS Scholarship Program in academic year 2021-2022 and the IHS Loan Repayment Program in fiscal year 2021. Priorities are due to the IHS Scholarship and Loan Repayment Programs by June 15, 2020. [PDF - 240 KB]- Enclosure: IHS Scholarship Program Priority Categories for Academic Year 2021- 2022 [PDF - 167 KB]
- Enclosure: IHS Loan Repayment Program Fiscal Year 2021 Priority Categories [PDF - 119 KB]
May 20, 2020
The Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide several updates about the Special Diabetes Program for Indians. [PDF - 305 KB]May 19, 2020
The Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to announce distribution decisions for $750 million in new resources appropriated to the Department of Health and Human Services to support testing and testing related activities in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, authorized by the recent enactment of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. [PDF - 394 KB]April 23, 2020
The Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders in follow-up to the April 3, 2020, letter to announce the Indian Health Service final allocation decisions of the remaining resources, authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, Public Law 116-36. [PDF - 341 KB]April 3, 2020
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to announce the creation of a new Indian Health Service Opioid Grant Pilot Program. [PDF - 214 KB]- Enclosure: Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer Summary Report - Indian Health Service Opioid Grant Pilot Program [PDF - 242 KB]
April 3, 2020
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to announce the availability of, and distribution decisions for, $600 million in new resources appropriated in the recently enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to address coronavirus prevention, preparedness, and response in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. [PDF - 266 KB]March 27, 2020
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to announce the availability of and distribution decisions for $134 million in new resources to respond to coronavirus in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. [PDF - 243 KB]March 20, 2020
The Principal Deputy Director updates Urban Indian Organization Leaders on the Agency's determination that Urban Indian Organizations are not eligible to participate in the national Community Health Aide Program expansion. [PDF - 323 KB]March 4, 2020
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide an update on the Indian Health Service Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) for the current fiscal year and provide decisions regarding the next SDPI grant cycle. [PDF - 217 KB]March 2, 2020
The Principal Deputy Director provides Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders with his decision on the funding mechanism to distribute Indian Health Service behavioral health initiative funding for the Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention Program, the Domestic Violence Prevention Program, and the Zero Suicide Initiative. [PDF - 238 KB]March 2, 2020
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to announce the selection of the new Area Director for the Alaska Area Indian Health Service. [PDF - 210 KB]February 6, 2020
The Principal Deputy Director notifies Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders that the HHS Secretary and Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH) have begun to implement Commissioned Corps (Corps) participation in Emergency Support Function #8 activities related to the rapid spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus and that the ASH has exercised his authority in Commissioned Corps Directive (CCD) 121.02 "Deployment and Readiness" to deploy Corps officers assigned to HHS Operating and Staff Divisions without supervisory or agency approval. [PDF - 317 KB]- Enclosure: Commissioned Corps Instruction 241.01, "Readiness and Duty Requirements" [PDF - ]
- Enclosure: Commissioned Corps Instruction 412.01, "Uniforms and Appearance" [PDF - ]
- Enclosure: Commissioned Corps Directive 121.02, "Deployment and Readiness" [PDF - ]
January 27, 2020
The Principal Deputy Director writes to inform Urban Indian Organization Leaders of the IHS decision on the distribution of the fiscal year 2020 Urban Indian Health funding increase. [PDF - 223 KB]The Principal Deputy Director writes to inform Urban Indian Organization Leaders that the transfer of programs from the former National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism programs from the IHS Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program to the IHS Office of Urban Indian Health Programs has been completed. [PDF - 239 KB]
January 22, 2020
The Principal Deputy Director provides Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders with his decision on the Indian Health Service proposal to reprogram fiscal year 2019 funds for lease cost agreements with Tribes and Tribal Organizations authorized under section 105 (l) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. [PDF - 401 KB]- Enclosure: Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer Comments Summary-Indian Health Service Funding for Fiscal Year 2019 Section 105 (l) Lease Cost Agreements [PDF - 224 KB]
- Written responses from Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders [PDF - 1 MB]
December 20, 2019
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to announce the selection of the new Area Director for the Bemidji Area Indian Health Service. [PDF - 216 KB]December 17, 2019
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to heighten awareness about the availability of Indian Health Service Urban Emergency Fund and provide eligibility and submission requirements. [PDF - 425 KB]December 2, 2019
The Principal Deputy Director notifies Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders about the upcoming deadline to file an application for a hardship exception for not having access to certified Health Information Technology. [PDF - 333 KB]- Enclosure: Applying for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Merit-based Incentive Payment System Program Hardship Exceptions [PDF - 127 KB]
November 27, 2019
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide an update on short-term continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2020 that affect Tribal Health Programs with performance periods starting within the current continuing resolution period for October 1, 2019, through December 20, 2019. [PDF - 278 KB]November 15, 2019
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to share updates on recent developments associated with modernizing Agency Health Information Technology. [PDF - 226 KB]- Enclosure: Strategic Options for the Modernization of the Indian Health Service Health Information Technology Roadmap Executive Summary. [PDF - 927KB]
- Enclosure: Strategic Options for the Modernization of the Indian Health Service Health Information Technology Final Report October 2019. [PDF - 2 MB]
October 28, 2019
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to announce the selection of the Director, Billings Area Indian Health Service. [PDF - 211 KB]October 2, 2019
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to initiate Urban Confer on the distribution of funding for the Indian Health Service Special Diabetes Program for Indians in fiscal year 2021. [PDF - 356 KB]- Enclosure: Special Diabetes Program for Indians FY 2019 Final Funding Distribution & Budget [PDF - 178 KB]
September 4, 2019
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to initiate Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer to seek input on the memorandum of understanding and related performance measures between the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service. [PDF - 239 KB]August 2, 2019
The Principal Deputy Director notifies Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders of a 60-day comment period to seek input on recommendations by the IHS National Tribal Advisory Committee on Behavioral Health based on the input gathered from the initial comment period that closed in August 2018 [PDF - 313 KB]July 26, 2019
The Principal Deputy Director notifies Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders that the comment submission deadline for the Opioid Grant Program Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer has been extended until Tuesday, September 3, 2019. Notification is also provided about a Virtual/In-Person Opioid Grant Program Information Session on July 31, 2019, in conjunction with the 16th Annual Direct Service Tribes National meeting. [PDF - 287 KB]July 3, 2019
The Principal Deputy Director updates Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders on new appointments and updates to the Indian Health Service senior leadership team. [PDF - 237 KB]June 21, 2019
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to initiate Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer on developing an Indian Health Service Opioid Grant Program to distribute the fiscal year 2019 opioid funding. [PDF - 94 KB]March 28, 2019
The Principal Deputy Director informs Urban Indian Organization Leaders of the Agency’s decision on the distribution of the fiscal year 2019 Urban Indian Health program funding increase. [PDF - 141 KB]March 12, 2019
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to initiate Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer on short- and long-term options for meeting requirements of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, specifically at 25 U.S.C. § 5324(l), also referred to as "105(l)." [PDF - 191 KB]- Enclosure: Indian Health Service Services Appropriation & ISDEAA § 105(l ) Lease Costs [PDF - 175 KB]
February 27, 2019
The Principal Deputy Director writes to update Tribal and Urban Indian Organization Leaders on the plan for implementing the Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) electronic Clinical Quality Measures (eCQM) Reporting Tool. [PDF - 189 KB]The Principal Deputy Director announces the release of the Indian Health Service Strategic Plan FY 2019-2023.
- Enclosure: IHS Strategic Plan FY 2019-2023 [PDF - 1.02 MB]
- Enclosure: IHS Response to Comments on the draft IHS Strategic Plan FY 2018-2022 [PDF - 303 KB]
February 6, 2019
The Principal Deputy Director updates Nashville Area Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Leaders on the selection of Dr. Beverly Cotton as Area Director. [PDF - 180 KB]January 16, 2019
The IHS Principal Deputy Director and HRSA Administrator write to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to announce the availability of $15 million to support loan repayment awards to fully-trained medical, nursing, and behavioral/mental health clinicians, and substance use disorder providers, who provide primary health services in Indian Health Service facilities, tribally-operated 638 health programs, and Urban Indian Organizations. [PDF - 93 KB]December 20, 2018
The Principal Deputy Director writes to update Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders on the Indian Health Service Headquarters reorganization. [PDF - 94 KB]December 11, 2018
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide an update on the mechanism to distribute behavioral health initiative funding. [PDF - 187 KB]- Enclosure: Summary of Tribal Consultation & Urban Confer Comments on the Behavioral Health Initiative Funding [PDF - 171 KB]
November 19, 2018
The Principal Deputy Director provides Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders with an update on the Agency’s progress in certifying the suite of applications that comprise the Indian Health Service Resource and Patient Management System to meet certification criteria and standards specified in the 2015 Edition Health Information Technology published by the Office of the National Coordinator. [PDF – 104KB] [PDF - 104 KB]November 6, 2018
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to heighten awareness about the Indian Health Service Urban Emergency Fund. [PDF - 99 KB]November 5, 2018
The Principal Deputy Director provides a copy of the Fiscal Year 2018 Urban Indian Health Expenditure Report to Urban Indian Organization Leaders. [PDF - 92 KB]- Enclosure: Office of Urban Indian Health Programs – Fiscal Year 2018 Expenditures to Support Urban Indian Organization [PDF - 174 KB]
October 29, 2018
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide an update on recent developments related to Agency and Departmental initiatives to modernize health information technology infrastructure, applications, and capabilities in use throughout the Indian Health Service, Tribes, and Urban Indian Organizations. [PDF - 212 KB]September 25, 2018
The Principal Deputy Director writes to inform Urban Indian Organization Leaders of the Indian Health Service’s progress to formally transfer the internal administration of the former National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism programs from the IHS Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program to the Office of Urban Indian Health Programs. [PDF - 101 KB]September 24, 2018
The Acting Director provides Urban Indian Organization Leaders with a copy of the current IHS IT Service Catalog, which includes updated descriptions of the programs, services, functions, and activities carried out by the Headquarters Office of Information Technology and information on how Urban Indian Organizations can access OIT support services. [PDF - 99 KB]- Enclosure: IT Service Catalog version 1.0 April 2018 [PDF - 568 KB]
September 15, 2018
The Acting Director writes to update Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders on progress in resolving denied pharmacy claims from Pharmacy Benefit Manager CVS/Caremark. [PDF - 93 KB]September 14, 2018
The Acting Director writes to inform Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders of his decision on the IHS proposal to reprogram a portion of the fiscal year (FY) 2018 funding increase appropriated for inflation to fund lease cost agreements authorized under section 105(l) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, and provides a summary of comments received. [PDF - 93 KB]- Enclosure: Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer Comments Summary Indian Health Service Fiscal Year 2018 Increase [PDF - 31 KB]
August 24, 2018
The Acting Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide an update on efforts by the Indian Health Service to develop a policy and implementation plan to nationalize a Community Health Aide Program , as authorized by the Indian Health Care Improvement Act as it relates to Urban Indian Organizations. [PDF - 94 KB]- Enclosure: July 20, 2016-dated letter to Urban Indian Organization Leaders on the CHAP [PDF - 603 KB]
- Enclosure: July 29, 2016-dated letter to Urban Indian Organization Leaders on the Extension of the Comment Period for CHAP [PDF - 25 KB]
August 1, 2018
The Acting Director notifies Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders that the deadline to submit comments on the funding mechanism to distribute behavioral health initiatives that are currently distributed through grants has been extended until August 17, 2018. [PDF - 116 KB]July 24, 2018
The Acting Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to announce a 30-day comment period on the Draft IHS Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2018-2022. [PDF - 93 KB]July 23, 2018
The Acting Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide an update on Indian Health Service regulatory reform activities. [PDF - 141 KB]July 13, 2018
The Acting Director updates Urban Indian Organization Leaders with his decisions on the fiscal year 2019 funding distribution for the Indian Health Service Special Diabetes Program for Indians. [PDF - 93 KB]July 12, 2018
The Acting Director updates Tribal Leaders with his decisions on the fiscal year 2019 funding distribution for the Indian Health Service Special Diabetes Program for Indians. [PDF - 91 KB]July 10, 2018
The Acting Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to initiate Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer on an impending funding decision that impacts a portion of the Agency’s inflation funding increases received in the IHS fiscal year 2018 appropriation to meet requirements of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, specifically at 25 U.S.C. § 5324(l), also referred to as "105(l)." [PDF - 93 KB]June 22, 2018
The Acting Director informs Urban Indian Organization Leaders of the decision on establishing a standard Methodology to distribute program funding increases that the Indian Health Service allocates to the Agency’s budget for Urban Indian Health. [PDF - 231 KB]May 18, 2018
The Acting Director writes to initiate a Tribal Consultation and an Urban Confer on the funding mechanism to distribute behavioral health initiatives that are currently distributed through grants. [PDF - 144KB]- Enclosure: Schedule – Virtual Learning Series on Behavioral Health Initiative Funding [PDF - 436 KB]
April 13, 2018
The Acting Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to initiate an Urban Confer on the distribution of funding for the Special Diabetes Program for Indians in Fiscal year 2019. [PDF - 106 KB]March 13, 2018
The Acting Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to initiate an Urban Confer on establishing a standard methodology to allocate program increases to the Urban Indian Health budget line. [PDF - 123 KB]February 2, 2018
The Deputy Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide an important leadership update in the Office of Urban Indian Health Programs. [PDF - 93 KB]December 29, 2017
The Acting Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide an update on the progress of the Indian Health Service Strategic Planning Workgroup activities and updated timeline on the IHS draft Strategic Plan 2018-2022. [PDF - 95 KB]November 28, 2017
The Acting Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to share progress to date on the Indian Health Service draft Strategic Plan 2018-2022. [PDF - 94 KB]October 13, 2017
The Acting Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to inform them of the Indian Health Service’s (IHS) progress in formally transferring internal administration of the former National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse programs (former-NIAAA programs) from the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program to the IHS Office of Urban Indian Health Programs. [PDF - 199 KB]September 22, 2017
The Acting Director writes to Tribal and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide information on ways to submit written and in-person comments and provide updates on the formation and role of the IHS Strategic Planning Workgroup. [PDF - 138 KB]September 15, 2017
The Acting Director writes to Tribal and Urban Indian Organization leaders to initiate a Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer on the Indian Health Service Strategic Plan. [PDF - 94 KB]September 5, 2017
The Acting Director informs Urban Indian Organization Leaders that the Indian Health Service has released the Office of Urban Indian Health Programs Strategic Plan-2017-2021. [PDF - 98 KB]August 24, 2017
The Acting Director informs Urban Indian Organization Leaders of the decisions on the distribution of fiscal year 2017 Urban Indian health budget increases for Urban Indian Organizations authorized by Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. [PDF - 93 KB]- Indian Health Care Improvement Act Title V Urban Indian Health Organization Fiscal Year 2017 Program Increase [PDF - 17 KB]
July 26, 2017
The Acting Director notifies Tribal and Urban Indian Organization Leaders that two listening sessions have been added to seek further input and recommendations on how best to modernize and improve our Resource and Patient Management System Electronic Health Record. [PDF - 149 KB]The Acting Director invites Urban Indian Organization Leaders to a meeting to confer on the distribution of the fiscal year 2017 Urban Indian health budget increase. [PDF - 186 KB]
- Enclosure: August 15, 2016, Urban Indian Organization Leader Letter [PDF - 148 KB]
- Enclosure: Summary of Public Comments Received IHS Urban Confer Request April 29, 2016 [PDF - 25 KB]
July 21, 2017
The Acting Director provides Great Plains Area Tribal and Urban Indian Organization Leaders with a report on the 2016 Indian Health Service Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer related to the Organization and Structure of the Great Plains Area IHS. [PDF - 118 KB]- Enclosure: Report on Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer on the Organization and Structure of the Great Plains Area Indian Health [PDF - 167 KB]
June 28, 2017
The Acting Director writes to Tribal and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to initiate a 45-day Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer on a draft Indian Health Service Headquarters Information Technology Service Catalog. [PDF - 166 KB]June 26, 2017
The Acting Director writes to Tribal and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to announce two listening sessions related to the Resource and Patient Management System Electronic Health Record. [PDF - 946 KB]June 23, 2017
The Acting Director writes to invite Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to attend the upcoming Indian Health Service Listening Session on Behavioral Health, being held during the 2017 American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) National Behavioral Health Conference. The Listening Session is scheduled for the morning of Tuesday, August 15. [PDF - 245 KB]May 10, 2017
The Acting Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide updates on several important Indian Health Service behavioral health initiatives. [PDF - 142 KB]May 2, 2017
The Acting Director updates Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders on efforts by the Indian Health Service to combat the opioid epidemic facing American Indian and Alaska Native communities. [PDF - 118 KB]March 28, 2017
The Acting Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to address the perception that the IHS is returning a significant amount of unused money to the United States Treasury each year. [PDF - 842 KB]March 8, 2017
The Acting Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide an update on systems enhancements related to the use of electronic prescriptions for controlled substances. [PDF - 106 KB]February 10, 2017
The Acting Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to share an update on the status of the exemption of certain Indian Health Service positions from the Federal civilian hiring freeze as provided by the Office of Management [PDF - 100 KB]December 27, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to highlight some of the major actions that have taken place over the past 10 months. [PDF - 124 KB]- Enclosure: Quality and Service Improvements at the Indian Health Service Calendar Year 2016 [PDF - 1 MB]
November 23, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to initiate a confer session regarding the draft Strategic Plan- Strategic Planning for Urban Indian Health Programs. [PDF - 98 KB]November 16, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide the final 2016-2017 Quality Framework and Implementation Plan. [PDF - 683 KB]- Enclosure: Quality Framework Implementation Plan [PDF - 606 KB]
- Enclosure: 2016-2017 Quality Framework [PDF - 151 KB]
November 15, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director notifies Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders that the deadline to provide comments on the Proposed Headquarters Realignment has been extended until January 13, 2017. [PDF - 836 KB]October 14, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Urban Leaders to notify them of an important leadership change at the Indian Health Service Headquarters in the Office of Urban Indian Health Programs. [PDF - 1 MB]October 12, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Tribal and Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide updates to an October 5 letter about a proposed realignment of IHS Headquarters. [PDF - 93 KB]- Enclosure: Federal Register Notice Organization, Functions, and Delegation of Authority November 5, 2014 [PDF - 186 KB]
- Enclosure: Headquarters Organization Chart October 11, 2016 [PDF - 18 KB]
October 4, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director writes to inform Phoenix Area Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders that on October 13, the Indian Health Service (IHS) will hold a Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer meeting at the Phoenix Area Office. [PDF - 49 KB]September 16, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Tribal and Urban Indian Organization Leaders in the Great Plains Area to inform them that the comment and confer period on the Organization and Structure of the Great Plains Area has been extended. [PDF - 97 KB]September 15, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to inform them that the comment period for the Quality Framework has been extended. [PDF - 53 KB]- Enclosure: Draft IHS Quality Framework [PDF - 172 KB]
August 18, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders regarding a funding opportunity announcement for the Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service, Office of Urban Indian Health Programs, Urban Indian Education and Research Organization Cooperative Agreement that was announced in the Federal Register on June 14, 2016 (Fed. Reg. 38714). [PDF - 35 KB]August 15, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director writes to inform Urban Indian Organization Leaders of the Agency's decision to distribute remaining urban Indian health program budget fiscal year 2016 funds. [PDF - 152 KB]The Principal Deputy Director writes to inform Urban Indian Organization Leaders of a recent program decision to formally transfer the internal administration of the former National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse programs from the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program to the Office of Urban Indian Health Programs at the Indian Health Service. [PDF - 93 KB]
July 29, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director writes Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide an update to the July 18 letter regarding the draft Circular that addresses the purchase of health care coverage, which is commonly referred to as Tribal Premium Sponsorship [PDF - 40 KB]July 29, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to inform them that the period to comment on the Community Health Aide Program letter has been extended until October 27, 2016 [PDF - 25 KB]July 22, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director writes to update Urban Indian Organization Leaders on the Indian Health Service (IHS) Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) and its fiscal year (FY) 2016 Community-Directed (C-D) grant application process. [PDF - 64 KB]July 22, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to announce an opportunity for small businesses owners and operators in your communities, and individuals from your communities who are interested in starting their own businesses, to learn about pursuing contracting opportunities with the Department of Health and Human Services and other federal agencies. [PDF - 27 KB]July 20, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director writes Urban Indian Organization Leaders to confer on a draft policy statement that proposes an expansion in the use of community health aides at Indian Health Service facilities across the country. [PDF - 603 KB]The Principal Deputy Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to initiate a 60-day Urban confer on a draft Quality Framework. [PDF - 653 KB]
- Enclosure: Draft IHS Quality Framework [PDF - 172 KB]
July 18, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to request comments and recommendations on a draft Circular to address the purchase of health care coverage. [PDF - 39 KB]June 29, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director writes to inform Tribal and Urban leaders of a tribally-requested date change for the first onsite Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer Session on the organization and structure of the IHS Great Plains. [PDF - 2 MB]June 10, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director invites Urban Indian Organization Leaders to attend the 13th Annual Direct Service Tribes National Meeting and 6th Annual Great Plains Tribal Chairmen's Health Board Health Summit. [PDF - 2.4 MB]June 9, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide an update to the April 1, 2016, letter requesting input on the Fiscal Year 2016 $10 million increase for Generation Indigenous Initiative Support, part of the Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention Program. [PDF - 29 KB]June 2, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Great Plains Area Urban Indian Organization Leaders about the June 3, 2016-dated Federal Register Notice for the opening of a 90-day comment period to request written comments by Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and Urban Indian Organizations located in the Great Plains Area on the structure of the IHS Great Plains Area. [PDF - 539 KB]May 24, 2016
Principal Deputy Director writes Urban Indian Organization Leaders regarding Purchased/Referred Care rates [PDF - 26 KB]- March 21, 2016 Federal Register Final Rule [PDF - 243 KB]
- March 18, 2016 IHS Press Release [PDF - ]
April 29, 2016
The Deputy Director for Intergovernmental Affairs writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to confer on the distribution of the urban Indian health budget fiscal year 2016 increase. [PDF - 2 MB]April 21, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director writes to inform Albuquerque Area Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders that on April 18, the Indian Health Service (IHS) held a conference call with Tribes and Tribal Organizations to discuss and consult with you about the Senior Executive Service (SES) search process to fill vacant IHS Area Director positions. [PDF - 590 KB]April 21, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director writes to inform Navajo Area Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders that on April 18, the Indian Health Service (IHS) held a conference call with Tribes and Tribal Organizations to discuss and consult with you about the Senior Executive Service (SES) search process to fill vacant IHS Area Director positions. [PDF - 590 KB]April 21, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director writes to inform Phoenix Area Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders that on April 18, the Indian Health Service (IHS) held a conference call with Tribes and Tribal Organizations to discuss and consult with you about the Senior Executive Service (SES) search process to fill vacant IHS Area Director positions. [PDF - 615 KB]April 1, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director informs Urban Indian Organization Leaders that the Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative has been renamed the Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention program. She also requests input on several consultation topics. [PDF - 106 KB]April 1, 2016
The Principal Deputy Director informs Urban Indian Organization Leaders that the Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative has been renamed the Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention program. She also requests input on several consultation topics.
[PDF - 126 KB]December 14, 2015
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to inform them that effective December 13, 2015, the Indian Health Service (IHS) has established a new Deputy Director position to oversee and focus the agency on improving quality improvement practices across the IHS. [PDF - 23 KB]October 16, 2015
The Principal Deputy Director writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to inform them that the Indian Health Service Headquarters offices are moving. [PDF - 22 KB]- Enclosure: Mailing Address and Mail Stops [PDF - 51 KB]
September 23, 2015
The Deputy Director writes Urban Indian Organization Leaders to inform them of a major change to annual performance reporting for the Indian Health Service. In fiscal year 2016, the IHS plans to begin preparations to implement the Integrated Data Collection System Data Mart, a new reporting mechanism within the National DataWarehouse. [PDF - 37 KB]
July 30, 2015
Mr. McSwain writes to Urban Indian Organizations to confer on the distribution of the FY 2015 Secretary's Minority AIDS Initiative Fund. [PDF - 31 KB]July 10, 2015
Mr. McSwain writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide an update on how the Indian Health Service will move forward regarding the Urban Indian health budget Fiscal Year 2015 increase of $2.875 million. [PDF - 109 KB]June 29, 2015
Mr. McSwain provides Urban Indian Organization Leaders with his decisions on the fiscal year 2016 funding distribution and formula for the Indian Health Service Special Diabetes Program for Indians. [PDF - 21 KB]June 22, 2015
Mr. McSwain writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide an update on how the IHS will move forward with MSPI and DVPI over the next five years. [PDF - 99 KB]June 9, 2015
Mr. McSwain writes to request Urban Indian Organization Leaders review and comment on the enclosed Indian Health Service Multi-Purpose Agreement (MPA). [PDF - 40 KB]- Enclosure - Master Patient Index, Health Information Exchange, Personal Health Record, and RPMS Direct MPA [PDF - 156 KB]
- Enclosure - MPA Joinder Agreement [PDF - 81 KB]
May 3, 2015
Mr. McSwain writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to confer and request input on the fiscal year 2016 Special Diabetes Program for Indians funding distribution. [PDF - 51 KB]March 31, 2015
Mr. McSwain writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to request input on the new program requirements and Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 funding distribution for the Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative (MSPI). [PDF - 74 KB]- Enclosure I: Background Information [PDF - 36 KB]
- Enclosure II: Summary of Allocations [PDF - 120 KB]
March 23, 2015
Mr. McSwain writes to confer on the distribution of the Urban Indian health budget Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 increase of $2.875 million in accordance with the Indian Health Service (IHS) Policy on Conferring with Urban Indian Organizations. [PDF - 19 KB]November 18, 2014
Dr. Roubideaux writes to Urban Indian Health Programs to confer on effective evaluation data. [PDF - 40 KB]September 29, 2014
Dr. Roubideaux writes to Urban Indian Organization Leaders to provide an update on our work to develop a policy on conferring with Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs). [PDF - 539 KB]April 28, 2010
Letter from IHS Director and the Administrator of HRSA to the Title V Urban Indian Program Director [PDF - 388 KB]Letter from IHS Director and the Administrator of HRSA to the Title V Urban Indian Program Director [PDF - 388 KB]
Enclosure: Indian Health Service Stakeholder Engagement Plan [PDF - 93 KB]
