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S. 279Senate116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

Tribal School Federal Insurance Parity Act

Sponsored by John ThuneSen. John Thune (R-SD)
Introduced January 30, 2019

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 1:20 AM UTC

The Tribal School Federal Insurance Parity Act would let schools that receive federal tribal grants join the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program. By changing the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, the bill expands health‑insurance options to these tribal schools, giving them the same access to FEHB coverage that other eligible entities have.

Key Provisions

  • Amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to add the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988 to the list of entities that can participate in the FEHB program.
  • Allows tribal grant schools to enroll in and receive health‑insurance benefits through the FEHB system.

Legislative Activity

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5 earlier actions
SenateCalendars Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 135.

July 9, 2019

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

January 30, 2019

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Indian Affairs Committee

January 30, 2019

SenateCommittee

Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 116-77.

Indian Affairs Committee

May 1, 2019

SenateCommittee

Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Indian Affairs Committee

May 15, 2019

SenateCommittee

Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Hoeven without amendment. With written report No. 116-54.

Indian Affairs Committee

July 9, 2019

SenateCalendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 135.

July 9, 2019

Bill Text

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Reported to SenateIssued July 9, 2019

II

Calendar No. 135

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 279

[Report No. 116–54]

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 30, 2019

Mr. Thune (for himself, Mr. Rounds, Mr. Udall, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Barrasso, and Mr. Tester) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs

July 9, 2019

Reported by Mr. Hoeven, without amendment

A BILL

To allow tribal grant schools to participate in the Federal Employee Health Benefits program.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Tribal School Federal Insurance Parity Act.

2.

Amendment to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act

Section 409 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1647b) is amended by inserting or the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988 (25 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.) after (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.).

July 9, 2019

Reported without amendment