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119-s-3767119th CongressWALLET

Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

Introduced

Summary

Elevates the Indian Health Service Director to an Assistant Secretary who reports directly to the HHS Secretary. This bill would rename the senior IHS official, move reporting lines so the position reports straight to the Secretary, and adjust staffing authority and pay rules to match the new role.

Show full summary
  • IHS leadership and staff: The Assistant Secretary, with the Secretary's approval, could appoint a Deputy Assistant Secretary and hire officers and attorneys to run the Service, giving the office clearer staffing authority.
  • Federal administration: The bill revises federal pay schedule entries to accommodate the new Assistant Secretary level and specifies the Assistant Secretary's salary is paid from the Indian Health Services account.
  • Legal and statutory alignment: Statutory references throughout Indian health law would be updated so mentions of the Director are treated as references to the Assistant Secretary, including explicit cross-references to the Snyder Act (25 U.S.C. 13).

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Indian Health head becomes Assistant Secretary

This bill would rename the Director of the Indian Health Service as the Assistant Secretary for Indian Health. The person serving as Director on the enactment date would serve as Assistant Secretary. The Assistant Secretary would report directly to the HHS Secretary. With the Secretary's approval, the Assistant Secretary would be able to appoint a Deputy and hire staff, including attorneys. The bill would change federal pay lists by adding one Assistant Secretary at level IV. It would also remove the Director entry from the level V pay list. The Assistant Secretary's salary would be paid from the Indian Health Services account. If enacted, actual pay and assignment would still depend on executive pay rules and available appropriations.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

NV • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]

    SD • R

    Sponsored 2/3/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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