IHS spending by comparison

The Indian Health Service has been plagued by chronic funding shortfalls for years, adding to major problems with quality and staffing at the agency’s health centers and hospitals. The agency is one of the few, alongside Veteran’s Affairs, in the government that provides direct care to Americans. Here is how the IHS funding per capita stacks up compared to the VA, Medicare and Medicaid.
The chart below is interactive: click or touch to see more.

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Characteristics of four federal health programs


  • Indian Health Service, a healthcare provider. Serves 1.6 million members of federally recognized American Indian tribes. Coverage includes mostly primary care. Some public health functions such as water sanitation.
  • Medicaid, a healthcare payer and entitlement program. Serves 73.5 million low-income individuals. Coverage includes inpatient and outpatient care and long-term care. Some optional services.
  • Medicare, a healthcare payer and entitlement program. Serves 58.4 million individuals 65 and older as well as certain individuals with disabilities and specific illnesses. Coverage includes outpatient and inpatient care, and kidney dialysis .
  • Veterans Health Administration, a healthcare provider. Serves 6.8 million, including some who are not veterans. Coverage includes outpatient and inpatient care, and mental health and residential treatment.

Source: 2017 report from the Government Accountability Office

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