← Back to Bills
H.R. 2535House118th Congress (2023-2025)In Committee

Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2023

Sponsored by Greg StantonRep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ)
Introduced April 6, 2023

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 6:05 AM UTC

The Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2023 upgrades the head of the Indian Health Service from a Director to an Assistant Secretary for Indian Health within the Department of Health and Human Services. The change raises the position’s rank, makes it report directly to the HHS Secretary, and updates related duties and references. It also allows a deputy assistant secretary and adjusts the federal pay scale for the role.

Key Provisions

  • Changes the title of the Indian Health Service head to Assistant Secretary for Indian Health and requires direct reporting to the HHS Secretary
  • Authorizes the Assistant Secretary to appoint a Deputy Assistant Secretary and define related staff functions
  • Updates all federal laws, orders, and regulations to refer to the Assistant Secretary instead of the Director
  • Modifies the federal pay classification for the position, adding it to level IV and removing it from level V

Legislative Activity

Stay on top of the latest movement without scrolling through every action

3 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs .

Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee

May 8, 2023

View full timeline
HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 6, 2023

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Natural Resources Committee

April 6, 2023

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

April 14, 2023

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs .

Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee

May 8, 2023

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

Reading Mode
Latest
Raw Text PDF XML
Introduced in HouseIssued April 6, 2023

I

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2535

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 6, 2023

Mr. Stanton (for himself and Mr. Joyce of Ohio) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To elevate the position of Director of the Indian Health Service within the Department of Health and Human Services to Assistant Secretary for Indian Health, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2023.

2.

Assistant Secretary for Indian Health

(a)

Establishment

Section 601(a) of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1661(a)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1), by striking tribes and inserting Tribes;

(2)

in paragraph (2)—

(A)

by striking a Director and inserting an Assistant Secretary for Indian Health (in this section referred to as the Assistant Secretary);

(B)

by striking The Director shall report and inserting The Assistant Secretary shall report directly;

(C)

by striking the Director and inserting the Assistant Secretary; and

(D)

by striking A Director and inserting An Assistant Secretary;

(3)

in paragraph (3), by striking date of enactment of the Indian Health Care Improvement Reauthorization and Extension Act of 2009 shall serve as Director and inserting date of enactment of the Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2023 shall serve as Assistant Secretary;

(4)

in paragraph (4), in the matter before subparagraph (A), by striking Director and inserting Assistant Secretary; and

(5)

by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(5)

Deputy Assistant Secretary

The Assistant Secretary, with the approval of the Secretary, may appoint a Deputy Assistant Secretary and may employ and prescribe the functions of such officers and employees, including attorneys, as are necessary to administer the activities of the Service.

.

(b)

Duties

Section 601(c) of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1661(c)) is amended—

(1)

in the matter before paragraph (1), by striking Director and inserting Assistant Secretary; and

(2)

in paragraph (1), by striking date of enactment of the Indian Health Care Improvement Reauthorization and Extension Act of 2009 and inserting date of enactment of the Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2023.

(c)

Authority

Section 601(d)(1) of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1661(d)(1)) is amended in the matter before subparagraph (A), by striking Director and inserting Assistant Secretary.

(d)

References

Section 601 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1661) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(e)

References

Any reference to the Director of the Indian Health Service in any Federal law, Executive order, rule, regulation, or delegation of authority, or in any document of or relating to the Director of the Indian Health Service, shall be deemed to refer to the Assistant Secretary.

.

(e)

Rate of basic pay

(1)

Positions at level IV

Section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking Assistant Secretaries of Health and Human Services (6) and inserting Assistant Secretaries of Health and Human Services (7).

(2)

Positions at level V

Section 5316 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking Director, Indian Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services..