Any person who is now eligible for service from the IHS remains eligible. The goal is to assure that comprehensive personal and community based health services are accessible to all Indian people in a culturally acceptable manner. Some of the changes are to help control rising medical costs so that patient services can be continued and improved. The plans do not involve opening or closing hospitals and ambulatory care centers.
Tremendous challenges confront the future of the Indian health system.
Big changes are underway in how Americans get and pay for their health care. Growing numbers of people are seeking health care. The population is older and age is a factor in what services are needed and provided. Medical costs are rising faster than incomes. More technology and more medical treatment is available at higher costs than ever before.