The availability of high-quality and culturally competent health care is vital to the well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native people and their communities. Progress toward the goal of elevating the health status of Indian people has been most notably advanced by tribes and tribal organizations who, through the Indian Self-Determination Act, have assumed hands-on operation of Indian health programs and projects funded by the Indian Health Service. The Firm's attorneys who specialize in Indian health law have been at the forefront of tribal health contracting and compacting over the past 25 years, and have made significant contributions to the development of Indian health legislation and regulations as well as enhanced appropriations needed to better address the health care needs of Indian communities. The Firm provides legal advice to tribal health contractors on a variety of health law issues.

CONTACT:
S. Bobo Dean, Carol Barbero, Geoff Strommer

• Negotiation of contracts and self-governance agreements for the operation of IHS-funded hospitals and other health programs

• Provide advice and representation on the application of the Federal Tort Claims Act to medical malpractice claims against tribal health contractors

• Provide advice on the eligibility rules governing the provision of IHS-funded health services and the authority of tribes to make the determination to serve non-Indians

• Provide advice on personnel issues arising in health care programs funded by the Indian Health Service, including federal and state licensing requirements

• The Firm's attorneys were instrumental in the enactment of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, and have represented tribes in seeking its reauthorization in the past, as well as participating in the nation-wide consultation under the direction of the National Steering Committee which developed the reauthorization bill now pending in Congress

• Provide advice and representation on issues involving third party resources available for health care for Indians and Alaska natives (Medicare/ Medicaid and private insurance, including pending litigation to enforce tribal rights to recover third-party reimbursements from state school district)

• Provide advice and representation on the applicability of the National Labor Relations Act and other labor laws to IHS-funded health programs located on and off Indian reservations

• Provide advice on issues related to the ownership of hospitals and other health care facilities, including state licensing, third-party recovery and tort liability

• Provide advice and representation on the sources of available funding for construction of health care facilities and staff quarters

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