![Healthcare](https://govhealth.distilinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/12/05-2.jpg)
The HHS and VA have renewed a crucial agreement, signifying a commitment to bolster healthcare services for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) veterans. This extension broadens reimbursements, ensuring access to diverse healthcare services. Secretaries Xavier Becerra and Denis McDonough emphasize the significance of cultural competence and equitable care. Since 2012, over $186 million has supported care for 15,000+ AI/AN veterans across IHS and tribal health program sites. Director Roselyn Tso highlights the personal significance of this agreement, underlining the agencies’ joint commitment to expanding quality healthcare access for these deserving veterans.
The partnership between HHS’s Indian Health Service (IHS) and the Veterans Affairs (VA) Department signifies a renewed commitment to bolstering healthcare services for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) veterans. The recently renewed Reimbursement Agreement, signed in December 2023, expands reimbursements, encompassing a broader array of healthcare services. This collaboration underscores the dedication to honor and serve those who have selflessly served their nation. The joint effort emphasizes cultural competence, ensuring equitable and high-quality care for AI/AN veterans across diverse geographical locations.
The Reimbursement Agreement extension solidifies the terms for the VA to reimburse IHS for healthcare services delivered to eligible AI/AN veterans. An expansion in the scope of reimbursements has been outlined, encompassing health care, outpatient pharmacy services, purchased/referred care, and contracted travel for eligible Native Veterans. This comprehensive approach ensures a broader coverage of services provided by IHS-operated healthcare facilities and programs, thus addressing the diverse needs of AI/AN veterans.
Secretary Xavier Becerra of HHS emphasized the significance of this agreement in elevating the standard of care for American Indian and Alaska Native veterans. He highlighted the collaborative efforts between IHS, VA, and tribal communities dating back to 2012, underscoring the commitment to delivering high-quality care. Secretary Becerra also stressed the importance of cultural competence in addressing the unique healthcare needs of these veterans, expressing pride in the ongoing combined efforts and resources dedicated to serving these national heroes.
VA Secretary Denis McDonough echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the crucial role of the renewed agreement in ensuring equitable and top-tier healthcare for AI/AN veterans, regardless of their geographical location. He reiterated VA’s dedication to collaborating with IHS, aligning their mission to honor the service of these veterans by providing exemplary healthcare services.
This newly ratified agreement supersedes and broadens the scope of a prior agreement from 2012, outlining reimbursement rates for an array of direct care services, such as inpatient and outpatient hospital services, ambulatory surgical care, home health, and medical equipment. Legal provisions under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act and the VA Sharing of Health-Care Resources authorize VA to establish these reimbursement agreements, financially compensating IHS, tribal health programs, and urban Indian organizations for delivering healthcare services to AI/AN veterans.
Over the years, since the initiation of this collaboration in 2012, IHS and tribal health programs have received over $186 million from VA. This funding has facilitated care for more than 15,000 American Indian and Alaska Native veterans enrolled in VA health care, benefiting from services provided across 74 IHS sites and 116 tribal health program sites.
Director Roselyn Tso of IHS underscored the significance of this agreement at the White House Tribal Nations Summit. Tso emphasized the joint commitment of both agencies to ensure expanded access to high-quality care for American Indian and Alaska Native veterans, emphasizing its significance as the daughter of a veteran.
Overall, the renewed and expanded Reimbursement Agreement between HHS’s IHS and VA stands as a significant milestone in fortifying healthcare access for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) veterans. This partnership reflects an unwavering commitment to providing top-tier care, acknowledging the invaluable service of these veterans. The agreement’s expansion of services and reimbursement rates, alongside the commitment to cultural competence, signifies a profound dedication to meeting the unique healthcare needs of AI/AN veterans. This collaboration aims to ensure that these deserving veterans receive the utmost care and support they rightly deserve.