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Matched Legal Cases: ['§1611', '§101', '§101', '§110', '§1612', '§102', '§3', '§101', '§102', '§902', '§102', '§102', '§102', '§902', '§117', '§103', '§3', '§102', '§102', '§102', '§102', '§102', '§3', '§104', '§104', '§102', '§2', '§5321', '§2', '§2', '§102', '§102', '§1614', '§105', '§307', '§3', '§103', '§102', '§902', '§102', '§102', '§902', '§117', '§1615', '§106', '§105', '§104', '§10221', '§104', '§115', '§1616', '§108', '§108', '§106', '§902', '§5321', '§310', '§106', '§106', '§106', '§106', '§106', '§106', '§902', '§106', '§106', '§106', '§106', '§106', '§106', '§902', '§106', '§106', '§117', '§106', '§1616', '§108', '§110', '§5321', '§1616', '§109', '§108', '§107', '§107', '§107', '§1616', '§110', '§108', '§117', '§5321', '§1616', '§111', '§108', '§108', '§16', '§5321', '§16', '§16', '§108', '§108', '§1616', '§112', '§108', '§104', '§2301', '§1', '§367', '§5321', '§114', '§104', '§104', '§104', '§1616', '§112', '§104', '§1616', '§113', '§109', '§114', '§901', '§941', '§2301', '§1', '§114', '§117', '§1616', '§114', '§109', '§109', '§109', '§117', '§1616', '§115', '§109', '§117', '§901', '§941', '§303', '§941', '§941', '§1616', '§116', '§109', '§117', '§901', '§618', '§901', '§117', '§1616', '§117', '§109', '§104', '§5321', '§1616', '§118', '§104', '§16', '§1616', '§119', '§111', '§10221', '§10221', '§10221', '§10221', '§10221', '§1616', '§120', '§112', '§1395', '§1396', '§1395', '§1616', '§121', '§113', '§1616', '§122', '§116', '§1616', '§123', '§10221', '§123', '§117', '§10221', '§1616', '§124', '§10221', '§1616', '§10221', '§125', '§10221']

[USC02] 25 USC CHAPTER 18, SUBCHAPTER I: INDIAN HEALTH PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL
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25 USC CHAPTER 18, SUBCHAPTER I: INDIAN HEALTH PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL
From Title 25—INDIANSCHAPTER 18—INDIAN HEALTH CARE
§1611. Congressional statement of purpose
(Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §101, Sept. 30, 1976, 90 Stat. 1402; Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §101, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4530.)
1992—Pub. L. 102–573 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section read as follows: "The purpose of this subchapter is to augment the inadequate number of health professionals serving Indians and remove the multiple barriers to the entrance of health professionals into the Service and private practice among Indians."
Pub. L. 100–713, title I, §110, Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4800, directed Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish an advisory panel composed of 10 physicians or other health professionals who are employees of, or assigned to, the Indian Health Service, 3 representatives of tribal health boards, and 1 representative of an urban health care organization, such advisory panel to conduct an investigation of (1) administrative policies and regulatory procedures which impede recruitment or retention of physicians and other health professionals by Indian Health Service, and (2) regulatory changes necessary to establish pay grades for health professionals employed by, or assigned to, the Service that correspond to the pay grades established for positions provided under 38 U.S.C. 4103 and 4104 and costs associated with establishing such pay grades, and, no later than the date that is 18 months after Nov. 23, 1988, to submit to Congress a report on the investigation, together with any recommendations for administrative or legislative changes in existing law, practices, or procedures.
§1612. Health professions recruitment program for Indians
(a) Grants for education and training
The Secretary, acting through the Service, shall make grants to public or nonprofit private health or educational entities or Indian tribes or tribal organizations to assist such entities in meeting the costs of—
(1) identifying Indians with a potential for education or training in the health professions and encouraging and assisting them—
(A) to enroll in courses of study in such health professions; or
(B) if they are not qualified to enroll in any such courses of study, to undertake such postsecondary education or training as may be required to qualify them for enrollment;
(2) publicizing existing sources of financial aid available to Indians enrolled in any course of study referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection or who are undertaking training necessary to qualify them to enroll in any such course of study; or
(3) establishing other programs which the Secretary determines will enhance and facilitate the enrollment of Indians in, and the subsequent pursuit and completion by them of, courses of study referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(b) Application for grant; submittal and approval; preference; payment
(1) No grant may be made under this section unless an application therefor has been submitted to, and approved by, the Secretary. Such application shall be in such form, submitted in such manner, and contain such information, as the Secretary shall by regulation prescribe. The Secretary shall give a preference to applications submitted by Indian tribes or tribal organizations.
(2) The amount of any grant under this section shall be determined by the Secretary. Payments pursuant to grants under this section may be made in advance or by way of reimbursement, and at such intervals and on such conditions as the Secretary finds necessary.
(Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §102, Sept. 30, 1976, 90 Stat. 1402; Pub. L. 96–537, §3(a), Dec. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 3173; Pub. L. 100–713, title I, §101, Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4785; Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §§102(a), 117(b)(1), title IX, §902(2)(A), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4530, 4544, 4591.)
1992—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 102–573, §102(a)(1), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: "identifying Indians with a potential for education or training in the health professions and encouraging and assisting them (A) to enroll in schools of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, podiatry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, or allied health professions; or (B), if they are not qualified to enroll in any such school, to undertake such post-secondary education or training as may be required to qualify them for enrollment;".
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 102–573, §102(a)(2), substituted "course of study" for "school" in two places and "paragraph (1)" for "clause (1)(A)".
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 102–573, §102(a)(3), substituted "enrollment of Indians in, and the subsequent pursuit and completion by them of, courses of study referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection" for "enrollment of Indians, and the subsequent pursuit and completion by them of courses of study, in any school referred to in clause (1)(A) of this subsection".
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 102–573, §902(2)(A), substituted "prescribe. The Secretary shall" for ": Provided, That the Secretary shall".
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–573, §117(b)(1), struck out subsec. (c) which authorized appropriations for fiscal years 1989 to 1992.
1988—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–713 amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (c) read as follows: "For the purpose of making payments pursuant to grants under this section, there are authorized to be appropriated $900,000 for fiscal year 1978, $1,500,000 for fiscal year 1979, and $1,800,000 for fiscal year 1980. There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $2,300,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1981, $2,600,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1982, $3,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1983, and $3,500,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1984."
(Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §103, Sept. 30, 1976, 90 Stat. 1403; Pub. L. 96–537, §3(b), Dec. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 3174; Pub. L. 100–713, title I, §102, Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4785; Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §102(b), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4530.)
1992—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 102–573, §102(b)(1), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: "have demonstrated the capability to successfully complete courses of study in schools of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, podiatry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, or allied health professions."
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 102–573, §102(b)(5), amended subsec. (e) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (e) read as follows: "There are authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this section—
1988—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–713, §102(b), inserted "of a grantee while attending school full time" after "expenses".
1980—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 96–537, §3(b)(1), substituted provisions specifying in pars. (1) and (2), purposes for which scholarship grants could be made, for provisions that the scholarship grant shall be for a period not to exceed two academic years, which years shall be for compensatory preprofessional education of the grantee.
(3)(A) The active duty service obligation under a written contract with the Secretary under section 254l of title 42 that an individual has entered into under that section shall, if that individual is a recipient of an Indian Health Scholarship, be met in full-time practice, by service—
(C) A recipient of an Indian Health Scholarship may, at the election of the recipient, meet the active duty service obligation described in subparagraph (A) by service in a program specified in that subparagraph that—
(4) In the case of an individual receiving a scholarship under this section who is enrolled part time in an approved course of study—
(B) the period of obligated service described in paragraph (3)(A) shall be equal to the greater of—
(5)(A) An individual who has, on or after October 29, 1992, entered into a written contract with the Secretary under this section and who—
(D) The Secretary shall provide for the partial or total waiver or suspension of any obligation of service or payment of a recipient of an Indian Health Scholarship if the Secretary determines that—
(Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §104, as added Pub. L. 100–713, title I, §104(a), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4786; amended Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §§102(c), 103, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4531, 4532; Pub. L. 104–313, §2(b), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3820.)
The Indian Self-Determination Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(A)(ii), is title I of Pub. L. 93–638, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2206, which is classified principally to subchapter I (§5321 et seq.) of chapter 46 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5301 of this title and Tables.
A prior section 104 of Pub. L. 94–437, title I, Sept. 30, 1976, 90 Stat. 1403, amended former section 234 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.
1996—Subsec. (b)(3)(A). Pub. L. 104–313, §2(b)(1)(A), substituted "The active duty service obligation under a written contract with the Secretary under section 254l of title 42 that an individual has entered into under that section shall, if that individual is a recipient of an Indian Health Scholarship, be met in full-time practice, by service—" for "The active duty service obligation prescribed under section 254m of title 42 shall be met by a recipient of an Indian Health Scholarship by service—" in introductory provisions, struck out "or" at end of cl. (iii), and substituted "; or" for period at end of cl. (iv).
Subsec. (b)(4)(B). Pub. L. 104–313, §2(b)(2)(A), substituted "the period of obligated service described in paragraph (3)(A) shall be equal to the greater of—" for "the period of obligated service specified in section 254l(f)(1)(B)(iv) of title 42 shall be equal to the greater of—" in introductory provisions.
1992—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–573, §102(c)(1)(C), substituted "accredited schools and pursuing courses of study in the health professions" for "accredited schools of medicine, osteopathy, podiatry, psychology, dentistry, environmental health and engineering, nursing, optometry, public health, allied health professions, and social work".
Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §102(d), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4532, provided that: "The amendments made by subsection (c)(1)(C) and subsection (c)(2)(B) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to scholarships granted under section 104 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act [this section] after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 29, 1992]."
§1614. Indian health service extern programs
(a) Employment of scholarship grantees during nonacademic periods
(Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §105, Sept. 30, 1976, 90 Stat. 1404; Pub. L. 95–83, title III, §307(n)(2), Aug. 1, 1977, 91 Stat. 393; Pub. L. 96–537, §3(c), Dec. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 3174; Pub. L. 100–713, title I, §103, Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4786; Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §§102(e), 117(b)(2), title IX, §902(2)(B), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4532, 4544, 4591.)
1992—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–573, §102(e)(1), substituted "section 1613a of this title" for "section 254r of title 42".
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–573, §102(e)(2), substituted "course of study in the health professions" for "school of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, podiatry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, or allied health professions".
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–573, §902(2)(B), substituted "Department of Health and Human Services" for "Department of Health, Education, and Welfare".
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 102–573, §117(b)(2), struck out subsec. (d) which authorized appropriations for fiscal years 1989 to 1992.
1988—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100–713 amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) read as follows: "There are authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of this section: $600,000 for fiscal year 1978, $800,000 for fiscal year 1979, and $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1980. There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $990,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1981, $1,140,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1982, $1,310,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1983, and $1,510,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1984."
1977—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95–83 substituted reference to "section 294y–1 of title 42" for reference to "section 104" meaning section 104 of Pub. L. 94–437, which added section 234(i)(2) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.
§1615. Continuing education allowances
(1) provide programs or allowances to transition into an Indian health program, including licensing, board or certification examination assistance, and technical assistance in fulfilling service obligations under sections 1613a, 1614, and 1616h of this title; and
(2) provide programs or allowances to health professionals employed in an Indian health program to enable those professionals, for a period of time each year prescribed by regulation of the Secretary, to take leave of the duty stations of the professionals for professional consultation, management, leadership, and refresher training courses.
(Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §106, Sept. 30, 1976, 90 Stat. 1404; Pub. L. 100–713, title I, §105, Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4787; Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §§104(a), 115, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4533, 4543; Pub. L. 111–148, title X, §10221(a), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 935.)
Amendment by Pub. L. 111–148 is based on section 134(c) of title I of S. 1790, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, as reported by the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate in Dec. 2009, which was enacted into law by section 10221(a) of Pub. L. 111–148.
2010—Pub. L. 111–148 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to discretionary allowances to health professionals employed in the Service to take leave for professional consultation and refresher training courses and included a limitation on use of appropriations to establish postdoctoral training programs for health professionals.
1992—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–573, §104(a), inserted "nurses," after "physicians, dentists,".
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–573, §115, amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: "There are authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this section—
"(1) $500,000 for fiscal year 1989,
"(2) $526,300 for fiscal year 1990,
"(3) $553,800 for fiscal year 1991, and
"(4) $582,500 for fiscal year 1992."
1988—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–713 amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: "There are authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of this section: $100,000 for fiscal year 1978, $200,000 for fiscal year 1979, and $250,000 for fiscal year 1980. For fiscal years 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1984 there are authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of this section such sums as may be specifically authorized by an Act enacted after this chapter."
§1616a. Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program
(1) The Secretary, acting through the Service, shall establish a program to be known as the Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program (hereinafter referred to as the "Loan Repayment Program") in order to assure an adequate supply of trained health professionals necessary to maintain accreditation of, and provide health care services to Indians through, Indian health programs.
(A) the term "Indian health program" means any health program or facility funded, in whole or part, by the Service for the benefit of Indians and administered—
(I) the Indian Self-Determination Act [25 U.S.C. 5321 et seq.], or
(II) section 23 of the Act of April 30, 1908 1 (25 U.S.C. 47), popularly known as the "Buy-Indian" Act; or
(iii) by an urban Indian organization pursuant to subchapter IV of this chapter; and
(B) the term "State" has the same meaning given such term in section 254d(i)(4) 1 of title 42.
(i) a degree in a health profession; and
(ii) a license to practice a health profession in a State;
(2)(A) be eligible for, or hold, an appointment as a commissioned officer in the Regular or Reserve Corps 2 of the Public Health Service;
(B) be eligible for selection for civilian service in the Regular or Reserve Corps 2 of the Public Health Service;
(C) meet the professional standards for civil service employment in the Indian Health Service; or
(D) be employed in an Indian health program without a service obligation; and
(3) submit to the Secretary an application for a contract described in subsection (f).
(c) Application and contract forms
(1) In disseminating application forms and contract forms to individuals desiring to participate in the Loan Repayment Program, the Secretary shall include with such forms a fair summary of the rights and liabilities of an individual whose application is approved (and whose contract is accepted) by the Secretary, including in the summary a clear explanation of the damages to which the United States is entitled under subsection (l) in the case of the individual's breach of the contract. The Secretary shall provide such individuals with sufficient information regarding the advantages and disadvantages of service as a commissioned officer in the Regular or Reserve Corps 2 of the Public Health Service or a civilian employee of the Indian Health Service to enable the individual to make a decision on an informed basis.
(2) The application form, contract form, and all other information furnished by the Secretary under this section shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the average individual applying to participate in the Loan Repayment Program.
(3) The Secretary shall make such application forms, contract forms, and other information available to individuals desiring to participate in the Loan Repayment Program on a date sufficiently early to ensure that such individuals have adequate time to carefully review and evaluate such forms and information.
(d) Vacancies; priority
(1) Consistent with paragraph (3), the Secretary, acting through the Service and in accordance with subsection (k), shall annually—
(A) identify the positions in each Indian health program for which there is a need or a vacancy, and
(B) rank those positions in order of priority.
(2) Consistent with the priority determined under paragraph (1), the Secretary, in determining which applications under the Loan Repayment Program to approve (and which contracts to accept), shall give priority to applications made by—
(A) Indians; and
(B) individuals recruited through the efforts of Indian tribes or tribal or Indian organizations.
(3)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), of the total amounts appropriated for each of the fiscal years 1993, 1994, and 1995 for loan repayment contracts under this section, the Secretary shall provide that—
(i) not less than 25 percent be provided to applicants who are nurses, nurse practitioners, or nurse midwives; and
(ii) not less than 10 percent be provided to applicants who are mental health professionals (other than applicants described in clause (i)).
(B) The requirements specified in clause (i) or clause (ii) of subparagraph (A) shall not apply if the Secretary does not receive the number of applications from the individuals described in clause (i) or clause (ii), respectively, necessary to meet such requirements.
(1) An individual becomes a participant in the Loan Repayment Program only upon the Secretary and the individual entering into a written contract described in subsection (f).
(2) The Secretary shall provide written notice to an individual promptly on—
(A) the Secretary's approving, under paragraph (1), of the individual's participation in the Loan Repayment Program, including extensions resulting in an aggregate period of obligated service in excess of 4 years; or
(B) the Secretary's disapproving an individual's participation in such Program.
(f) Contract terms
(1) an agreement under which—
(i) to pay loans on behalf of the individual in accordance with the provisions of this section, and
(ii) to accept (subject to the availability of appropriated funds for carrying out this section) the individual into the Service or place the individual with a tribe or Indian organization as provided in subparagraph (B)(iii), and
(ii) in the case of an individual described in subsection (b)(1)—
(I) to maintain enrollment in a course of study or training described in subsection (b)(1)(A) until the individual completes the course of study or training, and
(II) while enrolled in such course of study or training, to maintain an acceptable level of academic standing (as determined under regulations of the Secretary by the educational institution offering such course of study or training);
(iii) to serve for a time period (hereinafter in this section referred to as the "period of obligated service") equal to 2 years or such longer period as the individual may agree to serve in the full-time clinical practice of such individual's profession in an Indian health program to which the individual may be assigned by the Secretary;
(2) a provision permitting the Secretary to extend for such longer additional periods, as the individual may agree to, the period of obligated service agreed to by the individual under paragraph (1)(B)(iii);
(3) a provision that any financial obligation of the United States arising out of a contract entered into under this section and any obligation of the individual which is conditioned thereon is contingent upon funds being appropriated for loan repayments under this section;
(4) a statement of the damages to which the United States is entitled under subsection (l) for the individual's breach of the contract; and
(5) such other statements of the rights and liabilities of the Secretary and of the individual, not inconsistent with this section.
(g) Loan repayment purposes; maximum amount; tax liability reimbursement; schedule of payments
(1) A loan repayment provided for an individual under a written contract under the Loan Repayment Program shall consist of payment, in accordance with paragraph (2), on behalf of the individual of the principal, interest, and related expenses on government and commercial loans received by the individual regarding the undergraduate or graduate education of the individual (or both), which loans were made for—
(B) all other reasonable educational expenses, including fees, books, and laboratory expenses, incurred by the individual; and
(2)(A) For each year of obligated service that an individual contracts to serve under subsection (f) the Secretary may pay up to $35,000 (or an amount equal to the amount specified in section 254l–1(g)(2)(A) of title 42) on behalf of the individual for loans described in paragraph (1). In making a determination of the amount to pay for a year of such service by an individual, the Secretary shall consider the extent to which each such determination—
(iii) provides an incentive with respect to the health professional involved remaining in an Indian health program with such a health professional shortage, and continuing to provide primary health services, after the completion of the period of obligated service under the Loan Repayment Program.
(B) Any arrangement made by the Secretary for the making of loan repayments in accordance with this subsection shall provide that any repayments for a year of obligated service shall be made no later than the end of the fiscal year in which the individual completes such year of service.
(3) For the purpose of providing reimbursements for tax liability resulting from payments under paragraph (2) on behalf of an individual, the Secretary—
(A) in addition to such payments, may make payments to the individual in an amount not less than 20 percent and not more than 39 percent of the total amount of loan repayments made for the taxable year involved; and
(4) The Secretary may enter into an agreement with the holder of any loan for which payments are made under the Loan Repayment Program to establish a schedule for the making of such payments.
(h) Effect on employment ceiling of Department of Health and Human Services
(i) Recruiting programs
(j) Prohibition of assignment to other government departments
(k) Staff needs of health programs administered by Indian tribes
(1) ensure that the staffing needs of Indian health programs administered by an Indian tribe or tribal or health organization receive consideration on an equal basis with programs that are administered directly by the Service; and
(2) give priority to assigning individuals to Indian health programs that have a need for health professionals to provide health care services as a result of individuals having breached contracts entered into under this section.
(l) Voluntary termination of study or dismissal from educational institution; collection of damages
(1) An individual who has entered into a written contract with the Secretary under this section and who—
(A) is enrolled in the final year of a course of study and who—
(i) fails to maintain an acceptable level of academic standing in the educational institution in which he is enrolled (such level determined by the educational institution under regulations of the Secretary);
(ii) voluntarily terminates such enrollment; or
(iii) is dismissed from such educational institution before completion of such course of study; or
(B) is enrolled in a graduate training program, fails to complete such training program, and does not receive a waiver from the Secretary under subsection (b)(1)(B)(ii),
shall be liable, in lieu of any service obligation arising under such contract, to the United States for the amount which has been paid on such individual's behalf under the contract.
(2) If, for any reason not specified in paragraph (1), an individual breaches his written contract under this section by failing either to begin, or complete, such individual's period of obligated service in accordance with subsection (f), the United States shall be entitled to recover from such individual an amount to be determined in accordance with the following formula:
(A) "A" is the amount the United States is entitled to recover;
(B) "Z" is the sum of the amounts paid under this section to, or on behalf of, the individual and the interest on such amounts which would be payable if, at the time the amounts were paid, they were loans bearing interest at the maximum legal prevailing rate, as determined by the Treasurer of the United States;
(C) "t" is the total number of months in the individual's period of obligated service in accordance with subsection (f); and
(D) "s" is the number of months of such period served by such individual in accordance with this section.
(3)(A) Any amount of damages which the United States is entitled to recover under this subsection shall be paid to the United States within the 1-year period beginning on the date of the breach or such longer period beginning on such date as shall be specified by the Secretary.
(B) If damages described in subparagraph (A) are delinquent for 3 months, the Secretary shall, for the purpose of recovering such damages—
(C) Each contract for recovering damages pursuant to this subsection shall provide that the contractor will, not less than once each 6 months, submit to the Secretary a status report on the success of the contractor in collecting such damages. Section 3718 of title 31 shall apply to any such contract to the extent not inconsistent with this subsection.
(m) Cancellation or waiver of obligations; bankruptcy discharge
(1) Any obligation of an individual under the Loan Repayment Program for service or payment of damages shall be canceled upon the death of the individual.
(2) The Secretary shall by regulation provide for the partial or total waiver or suspension of any obligation of service or payment by an individual under the Loan Repayment Program whenever compliance by the individual is impossible or would involve extreme hardship to the individual and if enforcement of such obligation with respect to any individual would be unconscionable.
(3) The Secretary may waive, in whole or in part, the rights of the United States to recover amounts under this section in any case of extreme hardship or other good cause shown, as determined by the Secretary.
(4) Any obligation of an individual under the Loan Repayment Program for payment of damages may be released by a discharge in bankruptcy under title 11 only if such discharge is granted after the expiration of the 5-year period beginning on the first date that payment of such damages is required, and only if the bankruptcy court finds that nondischarge of the obligation would be unconscionable.
(1) the health professional positions maintained by the Service or by tribal or Indian organizations for which recruitment or retention is difficult;
(2) the number of Loan Repayment Program applications filed with respect to each type of health profession;
(3) the number of contracts described in subsection (f) that are entered into with respect to each health profession;
(4) the amount of loan payments made under this section, in total and by health profession;
(5) the number of scholarship grants that are provided under section 1613a of this title with respect to each health profession;
(6) the amount of scholarship grants provided under section 1613a of this title, in total and by health profession;
(7) the number of providers of health care that will be needed by Indian health programs, by location and profession, during the three fiscal years beginning after the date the report is filed; and
(8) the measures the Secretary plans to take to fill the health professional positions maintained by the Service or by tribes or tribal or Indian organizations for which recruitment or retention is difficult.
(Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §108, as added Pub. L. 100–713, title I, §108, Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4789; amended Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §§106(a)–(g)(1), (h), (i), 117(b)(3), title IX, §902(2)(C), (D), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4535–4537, 4544, 4591.)
The Indian Self-Determination Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(A)(ii)(I), is title I of Pub. L. 93–638, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2206, which is classified principally to subchapter I (§5321 et seq.) of chapter 46 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5301 of this title and Tables.
Section 23 of the Act of April 30, 1908, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(A)(ii)(II), probably should be a reference to section 23 of act June 25, 1910, ch. 431, 36 Stat. 861, which is popularly known as the "Buy Indian Act", and is classified to section 47 of this title. Act Apr. 30, 1908, ch. 153, 35 Stat. 70, does not contain a section 23 but does have provisions (at 35 Stat. 71) similar to those in section 23 of act June 25, 1910, ch. 431, 36 Stat. 861.
Section 254d(i)(4) of title 42, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(B), was redesignated section 254d(j)(4) of title 42 by Pub. L. 107–251, title III, §310(b)(1), Oct. 26, 2002, 116 Stat. 1643.
1992—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 102–573, §106(a)(1), substituted "health professionals" for "physicians, dentists, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical and counseling psychologists, graduates of schools of public health, graduates of schools of social work, and other health professionals".
Subsec. (b)(1)(A)(i). Pub. L. 102–573, §106(a)(2)(A)(i), amended cl. (i) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (i) read as follows: "as a full-time student in the final year of a course of study or program in an accredited institution, as determined by the Secretary, within any State; or".
Subsec. (b)(1)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 102–573, §106(a)(2)(A)(ii), substituted "a health profession" for "medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, or other health profession".
Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 102–573, §106(a)(2)(B), in cl. (i), substituted "a degree in a health profession; and" for "a degree in medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, or other health profession;", redesignated cl. (iii) as (ii) and substituted "a health profession" for "medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, or other health profession", and struck out former cl. (ii) which read as follows: "completed an approved graduate training program in medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, or other health profession in a State, except that the Secretary may waive the completion requirement of this clause for good cause; and".
Subsec. (b)(2) to (4). Pub. L. 102–573, §106(a)(2)(C), inserted "and" at end of par. (2)(D), added par. (3), and struck out former pars. (3) and (4) which read as follows:
"(4) sign and submit to the Secretary, at the time of submission of such application, a written contract (described in subsection (f) of this section) to accept repayment of educational loans and to serve (in accordance with this section) for the applicable period of obligated service in an Indian health program."
Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 102–573, §106(b)(1), substituted "Consistent with paragraph (3), the" for "The".
Subsec. (d)(1)(A). Pub. L. 102–573, §902(2)(C), substituted "Indian health" for "Indian Health".
Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 102–573, §106(b)(2), added par. (3).
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 102–573, §106(c), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: "An individual becomes a participant in the Loan Repayment Program only on the Secretary's approval of the individual's application submitted under subsection (b)(3) of this section and the Secretary's acceptance of the contract submitted by the individual under subsection (b)(4) of this section."
Subsec. (e)(2)(A). Pub. L. 102–573, §106(d), inserted ", including extensions resulting in an aggregate period of obligated service in excess of 4 years" before "; or".
Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 102–573, §106(e), in introductory provisions, substituted "loans received by the individual regarding the undergraduate or graduate education of the individual (or both), which loans were made for" for "loans received by the individual for".
Subsec. (g)(2)(A). Pub. L. 102–573, §106(f), amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (A) read as follows: "Except as provided in subparagraph (B) and paragraph (3), for each year of obligated service for which an individual contracts to serve under subsection (f) of this section, the Secretary may pay up to $25,000 on behalf of the individual for loans described in paragraph (1)."
Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 102–573, §106(g)(1), amended par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (3) read as follows: "In addition to payments made under paragraph (2), in any case in which payments on behalf of an individual under the Loan Repayment Program result in an increase in Federal, State, or local income tax liability for such individual, the Secretary may, on the request of such individual, make payments to such individual in a reasonable amount, as determined by the Secretary, to reimburse such individual for all or part of the increased tax liability of the individual."
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 102–573, §902(2)(D), substituted "health professional programs of the Service" for "Service manpower programs".
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 102–573, §106(h), amended subsec. (k) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (k) read as follows: "The Secretary shall ensure that the staffing needs of Indian health programs administered by any Indian tribe or tribal or Indian organization receive consideration on an equal basis with programs that are administered directly by the Service."
Subsec. (n). Pub. L. 102–573, §106(i), amended subsec. (n) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (n) consisted of pars. (1) and (2) requiring submission of annual reports to Congress by the first of March and the first of July of each year.
Subsec. (o). Pub. L. 102–573, §117(b)(3), struck out subsec. (o) which read as follows: "There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year to carry out the provisions of this section."
Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §106(g)(2), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4537, provided that: "The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply only with respect to contracts under section 108 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act [this section] entered into on or after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 29, 1992]."
§1616a–1. Scholarship and Loan Repayment Recovery Fund
There is established in the Treasury of the United States a fund to be known as the Indian Health Scholarship and Loan Repayment Recovery Fund (hereafter in this section referred to as the "Fund"). The Fund shall consist of such amounts as may be appropriated to the Fund under subsection (b). Amounts appropriated for the Fund shall remain available until expended.
(1) the amount collected during the preceding fiscal year by the Federal Government pursuant to—
(A) the liability of individuals under subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 1613a(b)(5) of this title for the breach of contracts entered into under section 1613a of this title; and
(B) the liability of individuals under section 1616a(l) of this title for the breach of contracts entered into under section 1616a of this title; and
(2) the aggregate amount of interest accruing during the preceding fiscal year on obligations held in the Fund pursuant to subsection (d) and the amount of proceeds from the sale or redemption of such obligations during such fiscal year.
(1) Amounts in the Fund and available pursuant to appropriation Acts may be expended by the Secretary, acting through the Service, to make payments to an Indian tribe or tribal organization administering a health care program pursuant to a contract entered into under the Indian Self-Determination Act [25 U.S.C. 5321 et seq.]—
(A) to which a scholarship recipient under section 1613a of this title or a loan repayment program participant under section 1616a of this title has been assigned to meet the obligated service requirements pursuant to 1 sections; and
(B) that has a need for a health professional to provide health care services as a result of such recipient or participant having breached the contract entered into under section 1613a of this title or section 1616a of this title.
(2) An Indian tribe or tribal organization receiving payments pursuant to paragraph (1) may expend the payments to recruit and employ, directly or by contract, health professionals to provide health care services.
(d) Investment of excess funds
(1) The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest such amounts of the Fund as such Secretary determines are not required to meet current withdrawals from the Fund. Such investments may be made only in interest-bearing obligations of the United States. For such purpose, such obligations may be acquired on original issue at the issue price, or by purchase of outstanding obligations at the market price.
(2) Any obligation acquired by the Fund may be sold by the Secretary of the Treasury at the market price.
(Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §108A, as added Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §110, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4538.)
The Indian Self-Determination Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), is title I of Pub. L. 93–638, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2206, which is classified principally to subchapter I (§5321 et seq.) of chapter 46 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5301 of this title and Tables.
1 So in original. Probably should be "to such".
§1616b. Recruitment activities
(a) The Secretary may reimburse health professionals seeking positions in the Service, including individuals considering entering into a contract under section 1616a of this title, and their spouses, for actual and reasonable expenses incurred in traveling to and from their places of residence to an area in which they may be assigned for the purpose of evaluating such area with respect to such assignment.
(b) The Secretary, acting through the Service, shall assign one individual in each area office to be responsible on a full-time basis for recruitment activities.
(Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §109, as added Pub. L. 100–713, title I, §108, Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4794; amended Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §107, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4538.)
1992—Pub. L. 102–573, §107(1), substituted "Recruitment activities" for "Travel expenses for recruitment" in section catchline.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–573, §107(2), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: "There are authorized to be appropriated $100,000 for each of the fiscal years 1990, 1991, and 1992, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this section."
§1616c. Tribal recruitment and retention program
(1) Any Indian tribe or tribal or Indian organization may submit an application for funding of a project pursuant to this section.
(2) Indian tribes and tribal and Indian organizations under the authority of the Indian Self-Determination Act [25 U.S.C. 5321 et seq.] shall be given an equal opportunity with programs that are administered directly by the Service to compete for, and receive, grants under subsection (a) for such projects.
(Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §110, as added Pub. L. 100–713, title I, §108, Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4794; amended Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §117(b)(4), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4544.)
The Indian Self-Determination Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is title I of Pub. L. 93–638, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2206, which is classified principally to subchapter I (§5321 et seq.) of chapter 46 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5301 of this title and Tables.
§1616d. Advanced training and research
The Secretary, acting through the Service, shall establish a program to enable health professionals to pursue advanced training or research in areas of study for which the Secretary determines a need exists. In selecting participants for a program established under this subsection, the Secretary, acting through the Service, shall give priority to applicants who are employed by the Indian Health Service, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations, at the time of the submission of the applications.
An individual who participates in a program under subsection (a), where the educational costs are borne by the Service, shall incur an obligation to serve in an Indian health program (as defined in section 1616a(a)(2) of this title) for a period of obligated service equal to at least the period of time during which the individual participates in such program. In the event that the individual fails to complete such obligated service, the individual shall be liable to the United States for the period of service remaining. In such event, with respect to individuals entering the program after October 29, 1992, the United States shall be entitled to recover from such individual an amount to be determined in accordance with the formula specified in subsection (l) of section 1616a of this title in the manner provided for in such subsection.
Health professionals from Indian tribes and tribal and Indian organizations under the authority of the Indian Self-Determination Act [25 U.S.C. 5321 et seq.] shall be given an equal opportunity to participate in the program under subsection (a).
(Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §111, as added Pub. L. 100–713, title I, §108, Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4795; amended Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §108, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4538; Pub. L. 103–435, §16(a), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4573.)
The Indian Self-Determination Act, referred to in subsec. (c), is title I of Pub. L. 93–638, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2206, which is classified principally to subchapter I (§5321 et seq.) of chapter 46 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5301 of this title and Tables.
1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–435, §16(a)(1), struck out "who have worked in an Indian health program (as defined in section 1616a(a)(2) of this title) for a substantial period of time" after "health professionals" and inserted at end "In selecting participants for a program established under this subsection, the Secretary, acting through the Service, shall give priority to applicants who are employed by the Indian Health Service, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations, at the time of the submission of the applications."
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–435, §16(a)(2), inserted "(as defined in section 1616a(a)(2) of this title)" after "Indian health program".
1992—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–573, §108(1), amended last sentence generally. Prior to amendment, last sentence read as follows: "The Secretary shall develop standards for appropriate recoupment for such remaining service."
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 102–573, §108(2), struck out subsec. (d) which directed Secretary to prescribe regulations to carry out this section.
§1616e. Nursing program
(1) public or private schools of nursing,
(2) tribally controlled community colleges and tribally controlled postsecondary vocational institutions (as defined in section 2397h(2) 1 of title 20), and
(3) nurse midwife programs, and nurse practitioner programs, that are provided by any public or private institution,
(1) recruit individuals for programs which train individuals to be nurses, nurse midwives, or nurse practitioners,
(2) provide scholarships to individuals enrolled in such programs that may pay the tuition charged for such program and other expenses incurred in connection with such program, including books, fees, room and board, and stipends for living expenses,
(3) provide a program that encourages nurses, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners to provide, or continue to provide, health care services to Indians,
(4) provide a program that increases the skills of, and provides continuing education to, nurses, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners, or
(5) provide any program that is designed to achieve the purpose described in subsection (a).
(1) programs that provide a preference to Indians,
(2) programs that train nurse midwives or nurse practitioners,
(3) programs that are interdisciplinary, and
(4) programs that are conducted in cooperation with a center for gifted and talented Indian students established under section 2624(a) 1 of this title.
(e) Quentin N. Burdick American Indians Into Nursing Program
The Secretary shall provide one of the grants authorized under subsection (a) to establish and maintain a program at the University of North Dakota to be known as the "Quentin N. Burdick American Indians Into Nursing Program". Such program shall, to the maximum extent feasible, coordinate with the Quentin N. Burdick Indian Health Programs established under section 1616g(b) of this title and the Quentin N. Burdick American Indians Into Psychology Program established under section 1621p(b) of this title.
(f) Service obligation
(A) in the Indian Health Service;
(B) in a program conducted under a contract entered into under the Indian Self-Determination Act [25 U.S.C. 5321 et seq.];
(C) in a program assisted under subchapter IV of this chapter; or
(D) in the private practice of nursing if, as determined by the Secretary, in accordance with guidelines promulgated by the Secretary, such practice is situated in a physician or other health professional shortage area and addresses the health care needs of a substantial number of Indians.
(Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §112, as added Pub. L. 100–713, title I, §108, Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4795; amended Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §§104(b), (c), 114(a), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4533, 4543.)
Section 2397h of title 20, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), was omitted in the general amendment of chapter 44 (§2301 et seq.) of Title 20, Education, by Pub. L. 105–332, §1(b), Oct. 31, 1998, 112 Stat. 3076.
Section 2624 of this title, referred to in subsec. (d)(4), was repealed by Pub. L. 103–382, title III, §367, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 3976.
The Indian Self-Determination Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(B), is title I of Pub. L. 93–638, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2206, which is classified principally to subchapter I (§5321 et seq.) of chapter 46 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5301 of this title and Tables.
1992—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 102–573, §114(a), inserted "and tribally controlled postsecondary vocational institutions (as defined in section 2397h(2) of title 20)" after "community colleges".
Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 102–573, §104(b), added subsec. (e) and redesignated former subsec. (e) as (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (g).
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 102–573, §104(c), amended subsec. (g) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (g) read as follows:
"(1) There are authorized to be appropriated for each of the fiscal years 1990, 1991, and 1992, $5,000,000 for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this section.
"(2) Of the amounts appropriated under the authority of paragraph (1) for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall use at least $1,000,000 to provide grants under subsection (a) for the training of nurse midwives."
Pub. L. 102–573, §104(b)(1), redesignated subsec. (f) as (g).
§1616e–1. Nursing school clinics
(1) establish clinics, to be run and staffed by the faculty and students of a grantee school, to provide primary care services in areas in or within 50 miles of Indian country (as defined in section 1151 of title 18);
(2) provide clinical training, program development, faculty enhancement, and student scholarships in a manner that would benefit such clinics; and
(3) carry out any other activities determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §112A, as added Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §104(f), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4534.)
§1616f. Tribal culture and history
(b) Tribally controlled institutions
To the extent feasible, the program established under subsection (a) shall—
(1) be carried out through tribally controlled colleges or universities (within the meaning of section 1801(a)(4) of this title) and tribally controlled postsecondary vocational institutions (as defined in section 2397h(2) 1 of title 20),
(2) be developed in consultation with the affected tribal government, and
(3) include instruction in Native American studies.
(Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §113, as added Pub. L. 100–713, title I, §109, Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4796; amended Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §§114(b), 117(b)(5), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4543, 4544; Pub. L. 105–244, title IX, §901(d), Oct. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1828; Pub. L. 110–315, title IX, §941(k)(2)(I)(i), Aug. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 3467.)
Section 2397h of title 20, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), was omitted in the general amendment of chapter 44 (§2301 et seq.) of Title 20, Education, by Pub. L. 105–332, §1(b), Oct. 31, 1998, 112 Stat. 3076.
2008—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 110–315 substituted "tribally controlled colleges or universities (within the meaning of section 1801(a)(4) of this title)" for "tribally-controlled community colleges (within the meaning of section 1801(4) of this title)".
1992—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 102–573, §114(b), inserted before comma at end "and tribally controlled postsecondary vocational institutions (as defined in section 2397h(2) of title 20)".
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–573, §117(b)(5), struck out subsec. (c) which authorized appropriations for fiscal years 1990 to 1992.
§1616g. INMED program
The Secretary is authorized to provide grants to at least 3 colleges and universities for the purpose of maintaining and expanding the Native American health careers recruitment program known as the "Indians into Medicine Program" (hereinafter in this section referred to as "INMED") as a means of encouraging Indians to enter the health professions.
The Secretary shall provide one of the grants authorized under subsection (a) to maintain the INMED program at the University of North Dakota, to be known as the "Quentin N. Burdick Indian Health Programs", unless the Secretary makes a determination, based upon program reviews, that the program is not meeting the purposes of this section. Such program shall, to the maximum extent feasible, coordinate with the Quentin N. Burdick American Indians Into Psychology Program established under section 1621p(b) of this title and the Quentin N. Burdick American Indians Into Nursing Program established under section 1616e(e) of this title.
(1) The Secretary shall develop regulations for the competitive awarding of the grants provided under this section.
(A) provides outreach and recruitment for health professions to Indian communities including elementary, secondary and community colleges located on Indian reservations which will be served by the program,
(B) incorporates a program advisory board comprised of representatives from the tribes and communities which will be served by the program,
(C) provides summer preparatory programs for Indian students who need enrichment in the subjects of math and science in order to pursue training in the health professions,
(D) provides tutoring, counseling and support to students who are enrolled in a health career program of study at the respective college or university, and
(E) to the maximum extent feasible, employs qualified Indians in the program.
(Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §114, as added Pub. L. 100–713, title I, §109, Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4796; amended Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §§109, 117(b)(6), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4538, 4544.)
1992—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–573, §109, inserted "to be known as the 'Quentin N. Burdick Indian Health Programs'," after "North Dakota," and "Such program shall, to the maximum extent feasible, coordinate with the Quentin N. Burdick American Indians Into Psychology Program established under section 1621p(b) of this title and the Quentin N. Burdick American Indians Into Nursing Program established under section 1616e(e) of this title." at end.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 102–573, §117(b)(6), struck out subsec. (e) which authorized appropriations for fiscal years 1990 to 1992.
§1616h. Health training programs of community colleges
(1) The Secretary, acting through the Service, shall award grants to community colleges for the purpose of assisting the community college in the establishment of programs which provide education in a health profession leading to a degree or diploma in a health profession for individuals who desire to practice such profession on an Indian reservation or in a tribal clinic.
(2) The amount of any grant awarded to a community college under paragraph (1) for the first year in which such a grant is provided to the community college shall not exceed $100,000.
(1) The Secretary, acting through the Service, shall award grants to community colleges that have established a program described in subsection (a)(1) for the purpose of maintaining the program and recruiting students for the program.
(2) Grants may only be made under this section to a community college which—
(A) is accredited,
(B) has access to a hospital facility, Service facility, or hospital that could provide training of nurses or health professionals,
(C) has entered into an agreement with an accredited college or university medical school, the terms of which—
(i) provide a program that enhances the transition and recruitment of students into advanced baccalaureate or graduate programs which train health professionals, and
(ii) stipulate certifications necessary to approve internship and field placement opportunities at service unit facilities of the Service or at tribal health facilities,
(D) has a qualified staff which has the appropriate certifications, and
(E) is capable of obtaining State or regional accreditation of the program described in subsection (a)(1).
(c) Agreements and technical assistance
The Secretary shall encourage community colleges described in subsection (b)(2) to establish and maintain programs described in subsection (a)(1) by—
(1) entering into agreements with such colleges for the provision of qualified personnel of the Service to teach courses of study in such programs, and
(2) providing technical assistance and support to such colleges.
(d) Advanced training
Any program receiving assistance under this section that is conducted with respect to a health profession shall also offer courses of study which provide advanced training for any health professional who—
(1) has already received a degree or diploma in such health profession, and
(2) provides clinical services on an Indian reservation, at a Service facility, or at a tribal clinic.
Such courses of study may be offered in conjunction with the college or university with which the community college has entered into the agreement required under subsection (b)(2)(C).
(1) The term "community college" means—
(A) a junior or community college that is a tribally controlled college or university, or
(B) a junior or community college.
(2) The term "tribally controlled college or university" has the meaning given to such term by section 1801(a)(4) of this title.
(3) The term "junior or community college" has the meaning given to such term by section 1058(e) 1 of title 20.
(Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §115, as added Pub. L. 100–713, title I, §109, Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4797; amended Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §117(b)(7), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4544; Pub. L. 105–244, title IX, §901(d), Oct. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1828; Pub. L. 110–315, title IX, §941(k)(2)(I)(ii), Aug. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 3467.)
Section 1058 of title 20, referred to in subsec. (e)(3), was amended by Pub. L. 105–244, title III, §303(b)(1), Oct. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1639, which redesignated subsecs. (d) and (e) as (e) and (f), respectively.
2008—Subsec. (e)(1)(A). Pub. L. 110–315, §941(k)(2)(I)(ii)(I), substituted "a junior or community college that is a tribally controlled college or university" for "a tribally controlled community college".
Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 110–315, §941(k)(2)(I)(ii)(II), added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: "The term 'tribally controlled community college' has the meaning given to such term by section 1801(4) of this title."
1998—Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 105–244 made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to section 1801(4) of this title.
1992—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 102–573 struck out subsec. (f) which authorized appropriations for fiscal years 1990 to 1992.
§1616i. Additional incentives for health professionals
(a) Incentive special pay
The Secretary may provide the incentive special pay authorized under section 302(b) or 335(b) of title 37 to civilian medical officers of the Indian Health Service who are assigned to, and serving in, positions included in the list established under subsection (b)(1) for which recruitment or retention of personnel is difficult.
(b) List of positions; bonus pay
(1) The Secretary shall establish and update on an annual basis a list of positions of health care professionals employed by, or assigned to, the Service for which recruitment or retention is difficult.
(2)(A) The Secretary may pay a bonus to any commissioned officer or civil service employee, other than a commissioned medical officer, dental officer, optometrist, and veterinarian, who is employed in or assigned to, and serving in, a position in the Service included in the list established by the Secretary under paragraph (1).
(B) The total amount of bonus payments made by the Secretary under this paragraph to any employee during any 1-year period shall not exceed $2,000.
(c) Work schedules
The Secretary may establish programs to allow the use of flexible work schedules, and compressed work schedules, in accordance with the provisions of subchapter II of chapter 61 of title 5, for health professionals employed by, or assigned to, the Service.
(Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §116, as added Pub. L. 100–713, title I, §109, Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4798; amended Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §117(b)(8), title IX, §901(1), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4544, 4590; Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VI, §618(f), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1427.)
2017—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–91 inserted "or 335(b)" after "section 302(b)".
1992—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 102–573, §901(1), struck out subsec. (d) which required a report to Congress by the Secretary no later than 6 months after Nov. 23, 1988, relating to overtime pay for individuals employed by the Service.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 102–573, §117(b)(8), struck out subsec. (e) which authorized appropriations for fiscal years 1990 to 1992.
§1616j. Retention bonus
The Secretary may pay a retention bonus to any physician or nurse employed by, or assigned to, and serving in, the Service either as a civilian employee or as a commissioned officer in the Regular or Reserve Corps 1 of the Public Health Service who—
(1) is assigned to, and serving in, a position included in the list established under section 1616i(b)(1) of this title for which recruitment or retention of personnel is difficult,
(2) the Secretary determines is needed by the Service,
(A) completed 3 years of employment with the Service, or
(i) any Federal scholarship program, or
(ii) any Federal education loan repayment program, and
(4) enters into an agreement with the Service for continued employment for a period of not less than 1 year.
(f) Physicians and nurses employed under Indian Self-Determination Act
The Secretary may pay a retention bonus to any physician or nurse employed by an organization providing health care services to Indians pursuant to a contract under the Indian Self-Determination Act [25 U.S.C. 5321 et seq.] if such physician or nurse is serving in a position which the Secretary determines is—
(1) a position for which recruitment or retention is difficult; and
(2) necessary for providing health care services to Indians.
(Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §117, as added Pub. L. 100–713, title I, §109, Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4799; amended Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §104(d), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4533.)
The Indian Self-Determination Act, referred to in subsec. (f), is title I of Pub. L. 93–638, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2206, which is classified principally to subchapter I (§5321 et seq.) of chapter 46 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5301 of this title and Tables.
§1616k. Nursing residency program
Such program shall include a combination of education and work study in an Indian health program (as defined in section 1616a(a)(2)(A) of this title) leading to an associate or bachelor's degree (in the case of a licensed practical nurse or licensed vocational nurse) or a bachelor's degree (in the case of a registered nurse) or a Master's degree.
(Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §118, as added Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §104(e), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4534; amended Pub. L. 103–435, §16(b), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4573.)
1994—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–435 inserted before period at end "or a Master's degree".
§1616l. Community health aide program
(a) General purposes of program
(1) provides for the training of Alaska Natives as health aides or community health practitioners;
(2) uses those aides or practitioners in the provision of health care, health promotion, and disease prevention services to Alaska Natives living in villages in rural Alaska; and
(3) provides for the establishment of teleconferencing capacity in health clinics located in or near those villages for use by community health aides or community health practitioners.
(b) Specific program requirements
(1) using trainers accredited by the Program, provide a high standard of training to community health aides and community health practitioners to ensure that those aides and practitioners provide quality health care, health promotion, and disease prevention services to the villages served by the Program;
(2) in order to provide such training, develop a curriculum that—
(A) combines education regarding the theory of health care with supervised practical experience in the provision of health care;
(B) provides instruction and practical experience in the provision of acute care, emergency care, health promotion, disease prevention, and the efficient and effective management of clinic pharmacies, supplies, equipment, and facilities; and
(C) promotes the achievement of the health status objectives specified in section 1602(2) of this title;
(3) establish and maintain a Community Health Aide Certification Board to certify as community health aides or community health practitioners individuals who have successfully completed the training described in paragraph (1) or can demonstrate equivalent experience;
(4) develop and maintain a system that identifies the needs of community health aides and community health practitioners for continuing education in the provision of health care, including the areas described in paragraph (2)(B), and develop programs that meet the needs for such continuing education;
(5) develop and maintain a system that provides close supervision of community health aides and community health practitioners;
(6) develop a system under which the work of community health aides and community health practitioners is reviewed and evaluated to ensure the provision of quality health care, health promotion, and disease prevention services; and
(7) ensure that—
(A) pulpal therapy (not including pulpotomies on deciduous teeth) or extraction of adult teeth can be performed by a dental health aide therapist only after consultation with a licensed dentist who determines that the procedure is a medical emergency that cannot be resolved with palliative treatment; and
(B) dental health aide therapists are strictly prohibited from performing all other oral or jaw surgeries, subject to the condition that uncomplicated extractions shall not be considered oral surgery under this section.
(c) Program review
(1) Neutral panel
(B) Parameters of study
(i) the ability of the dental health aide therapist services under this section to address the dental care needs of Alaska Natives;
(ii) the quality of care provided through those services, including any training, improvement, or additional oversight required to improve the quality of care; and
(iii) whether safer and less costly alternatives to the dental health aide therapist services exist.
(A) any determination of the neutral panel under paragraph (2)(C); and
(B) any comments received from Alaska tribal organizations under paragraph (2)(D).
(d) Nationalization of program
(2) Requirement; exclusion
(A) shall not reduce the amounts provided for the Community Health Aide Program described in subsections (a) and (b); and
(B) shall exclude dental health aide therapist services from services covered under the program.
(3) Election of Indian tribe or tribal organization
(Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §119, as added Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §111, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4539; amended Pub. L. 111–148, title X, §10221(a), (b)(1), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 935.)
Amendment by section 10221(a) of Pub. L. 111–148 is based on section 111 of title I of S. 1790, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, as reported by the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate in Dec. 2009, which was enacted into law by section 10221(a) of Pub. L. 111–148, except as provided in section 10221(b)(1) of Pub. L. 111–148.
2010—Pub. L. 111–148, §10221(a), amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to maintenance of Community Health Aide Program for Alaska and related training, curriculum, and establishment and maintenance of Certification Board.
Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 111–148, §10221(b)(1)(A)(i), substituted "Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), in establishing" for "In establishing" in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (d)(3), (4). Pub. L. 111–148, §10221(b)(1)(A)(ii), added pars. (3) and (4).
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 111–148, §10221(b)(1)(B), added subsec. (e).
§1616m. Matching grants to tribes for scholarship programs
(1) The Secretary shall make grants to Indian tribes and tribal organizations for the purpose of assisting such tribes and tribal organizations in educating Indians to serve as health professionals in Indian communities.
(2) Amounts available for grants under paragraph (1) for any fiscal year shall not exceed 5 percent of amounts available for such fiscal year for Indian Health Scholarships under section 1613a of this title.
(3) An application for a grant under paragraph (1) shall be in such form and contain such agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary determines are necessary to carry out this section.
(1) An Indian tribe or tribal organization receiving a grant under subsection (a) shall agree to provide scholarships to Indians pursuing education in the health professions in accordance with the requirements of this section.
(A) 80 percent of the costs of the scholarship shall be paid from the grant made under subsection (a) to the Indian tribe or tribal organization; and
(B) 20 percent of such costs shall be paid from non-Federal contributions by the Indian tribe or tribal organization through which the scholarship is provided.
(3) In determining the amount of non-Federal contributions that have been provided for purposes of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2), any amounts provided by the Federal Government to the Indian tribe or tribal organization involved or to any other entity shall not be included.
(4) Non-Federal contributions required by subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) may be provided directly by the Indian tribe or tribal organization involved or through donations from public and private entities.
(d) Contract requirements
In providing scholarships under subsection (b), the Secretary and the Indian tribe or tribal organization shall enter into a written contract with each recipient of such scholarship. Such contract shall—
(A) a number of years equal to the number of years for which the scholarship is provided (or the part-time equivalent thereof, as determined by the Secretary), or for a period of 2 years, whichever period is greater; or
(B) such greater period of time as the recipient and the Indian tribe or tribal organization may agree;
(i) tuition expenses, other reasonable educational expenses, and reasonable living expenses incurred in attendance at the educational institution; and
(ii) payment to the recipient of a monthly stipend of not more than the amount authorized by section 254l(g)(1)(B) of title 42, such amount to be reduced pro rata (as determined by the Secretary) based on the number of hours such student is enrolled; and
(B) may not exceed, for any year of attendance for which the scholarship is provided, the total amount required for the year for the purposes authorized in subparagraph (A);
(3) require the recipient of such scholarship to maintain an acceptable level of academic standing (as determined by the educational institution in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary); and
(4) require the recipient of such scholarship to meet the educational and licensure requirements necessary to be a physician, certified nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, or physician assistant.
(A) fails to maintain an acceptable level of academic standing in the educational institution in which he is enrolled (such level determined by the educational institution under regulations of the Secretary),
(B) is dismissed from such educational institution for disciplinary reasons,
(C) voluntarily terminates the training in such an educational institution for which he is provided a scholarship under such contract before the completion of such training, or
(D) fails to accept payment, or instructs the educational institution in which he is enrolled not to accept payment, in whole or in part, of a scholarship under such contract,
(2) If for any reason not specified in paragraph (1), an individual breaches his written contract by failing either to begin such individual's service obligation required under such contract or to complete such service obligation, the United States shall be entitled to recover from the individual an amount determined in accordance with the formula specified in subsection (l) of section 1616a of this title in the manner provided for in such subsection.
(3) The Secretary may carry out this subsection on the basis of information submitted by the tribes or tribal organizations involved, or on the basis of information collected through such other means as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(f) Nondiscriminatory practice
The recipient of a scholarship under subsection (b) shall agree, in providing health care pursuant to the requirements of subsection (d)(1)—
(1) not to discriminate against an individual seeking such care on the basis of the ability of the individual to pay for such care or on the basis that payment for such care will be made pursuant to the program established in title XVIII of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.] or pursuant to the program established in title XIX of such Act [42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.]; and
(2) to accept assignment under section 1842(b)(3)(B)(ii) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1395u(b)(3)(B)(ii)] for all services for which payment may be made under part B of title XVIII of such Act [42 U.S.C. 1395j et seq.], and to enter into an appropriate agreement with the State agency that administers the State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of such Act [42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.] to provide service to individuals entitled to medical assistance under the plan.
(Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §120, as added Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §112, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4540.)
The Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (f), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, 49 Stat. 620, as amended. Titles XVIII and XIX of the Act are classified generally to subchapters XVIII (§1395 et seq.) and XIX (§1396 et seq.) of chapter 7 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, respectively. Part B of title XVIII of the Act is classified generally to part B (§1395j et seq.) of subchapter XVIII of chapter 7 of Title 42. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1305 of Title 42 and Tables.
§1616n. Tribal health program administration
(Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §121, as added Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §113, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4542.)
§1616o. University of South Dakota pilot program
The Secretary may make a grant to the School of Medicine of the University of South Dakota (hereafter in this section referred to as "USDSM") to establish a pilot program on an Indian reservation at one or more service units in South Dakota to address the chronic manpower shortage in the Aberdeen Area of the Service.
(1) to provide direct clinical and practical experience at a service unit to medical students and residents from USDSM and other medical schools;
(2) to improve the quality of health care for Indians by assuring access to qualified health care professionals; and
(3) to provide academic and scholarly opportunities for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, and other allied health professionals serving Indian people by identifying and utilizing all academic and scholarly resources of the region.
(c) Composition; designation
(1) incorporate a program advisory board composed of representatives from the tribes and communities in the area which will be served by the program; and
(2) shall be designated as an extension of the USDSM campus and program participants shall be under the direct supervision and instruction of qualified medical staff serving at the service unit who shall be members of the USDSM faculty.
(d) Coordination with other schools
(e) Development of additional professional opportunities
(Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §122, as added Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §116, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4543.)
§1616p. Health professional chronic shortage demonstration programs
(a) Demonstration programs
The Secretary, acting through the Service, may fund demonstration programs for Indian health programs to address the chronic shortages of health professionals.
(b) Purposes of programs
The purposes of demonstration programs under subsection (a) shall be—
(1) to provide direct clinical and practical experience within an Indian health program to health profession students and residents from medical schools;
(2) to improve the quality of health care for Indians by ensuring access to qualified health professionals;
(3) to provide academic and scholarly opportunities for health professionals serving Indians by identifying all academic and scholarly resources of the region; and
(4) to provide training and support for alternative provider types, such as community health representatives, and community health aides.
The demonstration programs established pursuant to subsection (a) shall incorporate a program advisory board, which may be composed of representatives of tribal governments, Indian health programs, and Indian communities in the areas to be served by the demonstration programs.
(Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §123, as added Pub. L. 111–148, title X, §10221(a), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 935.)
Section 123 of Pub. L. 94–437 is based on section 112 of title I of S. 1790, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, as reported by the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate in Dec. 2009, which was enacted into law by section 10221(a) of Pub. L. 111–148.
A prior section 1616p, Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §123, as added Pub. L. 102–573, title I, §117(a), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4544, authorized appropriations through fiscal year 2000 to carry out this subchapter, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 111–148, title X, §10221(a), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 935. The repeal is based on section 101(b)(1) of title I of S. 1790, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, as reported by the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate in Dec. 2009, which was enacted into law by section 10221(a) of Pub. L. 111–148.
§1616q. Exemption from payment of certain fees
Employees of a tribal health program or urban Indian organization shall be exempt from payment of licensing, registration, and any other fees imposed by a Federal agency to the same extent that officers of the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service and other employees of the Service are exempt from those fees.
(Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §124, as added Pub. L. 111–148, title X, §10221(a), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 935.)
Section 124 of Pub. L. 94–437 is based on section 113 of title I of S. 1790, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, as reported by the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate in Dec. 2009, which was enacted into law by section 10221(a) of Pub. L. 111–148.
§1616r. Repealed. Pub. L. 111–148, title X, §10221(b)(2), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 936
Section, Pub. L. 94–437, title I, §125, as added Pub. L. 111–148, title X, §10221(a), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 935, was based on section 134(b) of title I of S. 1790, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, as reported by the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate in Dec. 2009 which was enacted into law by section 10221(a) of Pub. L. 111–148 and related to treatment of a scholarship provided to an individual under this subchapter as a qualified scholarship for purposes of section 117 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.