Rep. Horn Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Guarantee Tribal Health Authorities Access to Strategic National Stockpile

Press Release

On Monday, Congresswoman Kendra Horn introduced the bipartisan Tribal Medical Supplies Stockpile Access Act. This legislation would guarantee the Indian Health Service (IHS), tribal health authorities, and urban Indian organizations access to the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), a federal repository of drugs and medical supplies that can be tapped if a public health emergency exhausts local supplies. Currently, IHS and tribal health authorities' access to the SNS is very limited and is not guaranteed in the SNS statute. In contrast, states' and large municipalities' public health authorities have ready access to the SNS. The Tribal Medical Supplies Stockpile Access Act comes as the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) indicated that IHS is likely to face shortages of necessary equipment as COVID-19 continues to spread.

Original cosponsors of the legislation include Co-Chairs of the Congressional Native American Caucus Rep. Tom Cole (OK-4) and Rep. Deb Haaland (NM-1), Vice Chairs Rep. Markwayne Mullin (OK-2) and Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-3), Rep. Greg Gianforte (MT-AL), and Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-7).

"We are all in this together. As we work to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical that Tribal Nations and IHS have the resources necessary to protect their communities and save lives," said Congresswoman Horn. "That means securing essential equipment and medical supplies that are needed to respond to this public health crisis. I will continue pushing Congress and the Trump Administration to provide Native communities with critical support and meaningful engagement during this crisis."

"When the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services taps into our stockpile and distributes out to prevent shortages in communities across the nation, it is simply commonsense to ensure tribal nations and their health organizations are able to request and receive these vital medical supplies and medications," said Congressman Cole, Co-Chair of the congressional Native American Caucus. "As a member of the Chickasaw Nation and co-chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus, I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this important legislation that affirms the sovereignty of tribes and their vital role as public health defenders and partners."

"Every person in this country deserves access to lifesaving supplies during the coronavirus pandemic, but constant and severe underfunding of Indian health care puts Native American lives at risk. The bill we're introducing today will make sure that Native communities have access to the same resources that all other communities have access to," said Congresswoman Haaland.

"We are facing an unprecedented public health crisis and IHS and other tribal health facilities are facing a shortage of supplies, just like many other hospitals across the country," said Congressman Mullin. "Tribal health facilities should have the same access to stockpiled medical supplies that states and municipalities have and this legislation brings that parity to Indian Country. I will continue to work with my colleagues and the Trump Administration to ensure tribal health facilities have access to the equipment they need during this health crisis and any future crisis we might face."

"The federal government must uphold its legal trust responsibility and ensure that Tribes can access the life-saving supplies and resources they need during this public health crisis. This legislation will help to provide much-needed relief for Indian Country and help to keep Native communities safe and prepared," said Congresswoman Davids.

"As our nation confronts the COVID-19 outbreak, we can't afford to leave any community behind," Congressman Gianforte said. "We must work to ensure Tribes and IHS have the resources they need to protect our communities and respond to this public health crisis, and our bipartisan bill offers a positive step forward. I'll keep working with Republicans and Democrats in Congress as well as the Trump administration to ensure our health care facilities have the resources and equipment they need."

"Indian Health Service, Tribal, and urban Indian health facilities serve some of our most vulnerable populations but are among the most under-resourced in the country. That can have deadly results during a public health crisis like the one we are facing now," said Congressman Gallego. "We must immediately ensure that Indian Country has access to the critical medical supplies and resources from the Strategic National Stockpile to fight the COVID-19 pandemic."

A one pager on the Tribal Medical Supplies Stockpile Access Act is available here. Text of the bill is available here. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (MA) and Tom Udall (NM) introduced a Senate companion bill (S. 3514) last week.

The Tribal Medical Supplies Stockpile Access Act is supported by the National Indian Health Board, the National Council of Urban Indian Health, and the National Congress of American Indians,.

"We are encouraged by the leadership of Congresswoman Horn to increase health care access for American Indians and Alaska Natives through the Strategic National Stockpile. As the coronavirus continues to have greater impacts, Congress must do everything possible to uphold its trust responsibility to Indian Country by providing appropriate resources including N95 respirators. The stockpile is designed for those who need it most in times of emergency and Indian Country should not be left behind." -- Francys Crevier, Executive Director, National Council of Urban Indian Health

"The COVID-19 pandemic has placed immense pressures on the chronically underfunded and under-resourced Indian health system. Direct access to the Strategic National Stockpile will bring much-needed relief and critical medical and pharmaceutical supplies into IHS, Tribal and urban Indian health facilities to prepare and respond to the current COVID-19 pandemic, and future health emergencies" -- National Indian Health Board