Sioux Empire Today

The House Natural Resources Committee has approved the Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act, a bill introduced by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson from South Dakota. The legislation aims to reform the Indian Health Service (IHS) and protect Native Americans from unjust healthcare charges.

Johnson, who proposed the bill in March, testified before the committee in April to advocate for its passage. He emphasized the importance of correcting errors that leave tribal members responsible for healthcare costs that should be covered by IHS. "Tribal members are often left to foot the bill on a health care charge that isn’t theirs to pay," said Johnson. "My bill would right this error and ensure the Indian Health Service pays the bills it owes."

Frank Star Comes Out, President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, expressed support for Johnson's efforts. He highlighted that the bill addresses issues related to delayed reimbursements by IHS for services purchased from external providers. "Under no circumstance should a Native person ever pay for approved Purchased and Referred Care (PRC) or be penalized for IHS’s lack of payment," he stated.

The Purchased and Referred Care Improvement Act outlines several key provisions:

- It ensures that IHS is liable for payments related to authorized PRC services.

- It mandates notification to PRC providers and patients about their non-liability concerning authorized PRC service charges.

- It allows procedures for reimbursing patients who paid out-of-pocket within 30 days after submitting necessary documentation.

Johnson's initiative has been recognized as an effort to improve patient experiences at IHS facilities while addressing concerns raised by Tribes and tribal healthcare advocates.