H.R. 741

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

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.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · January 28, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Stanton

Table of contents

• H.R. 741
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Assistant Secretary for Indian Health

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2025.

SEC. 2. Assistant Secretary for Indian Health

• (a) Establishment
  • Section 601(a) of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act () is amended— 25 U.S.C. 1661(a)
    • in paragraph (1), by striking tribesand inserting Tribes;
    • in paragraph (2)—
      • by striking and inserting ;
      • by striking The Director shall reportand inserting The Assistant Secretary shall report directly;
      • by striking the Directorand inserting the Assistant Secretary; and
      • by striking A Directorand inserting An Assistant Secretary;
    • in paragraph (3), by striking and inserting ;
    • in paragraph (4), in the matter before subparagraph (A), by striking Directorand inserting Assistant Secretary; and
      • (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.
    • by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
• (b) Duties
  • Section 601(c) of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act () is amended— 25 U.S.C. 1661(c)
    • in the matter before paragraph (1), by striking Directorand inserting Assistant Secretary; and
    • in paragraph (1), by striking and inserting .
• (c) Authority
  • Section 601(d)(1) of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act () is amended in the matter before subparagraph (A), by striking Directorand inserting Assistant Secretary. 25 U.S.C. 1661(d)(1)
• (d) References
  • Section 601 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act () is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 25 U.S.C. 1661
    • (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 .