Indian Health Service

(a) Definition of Secretary In this section, the term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Indian Health Service. (b) Sanitation facilities construction program (1) In general For purposes of section 7(a)(1) of the Act entitled An Act to transfer the maintenance and operation of hospital and health facilities for Indians to the Public Health Service, and for other purposes, approved August 5, 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2004a(a)(1)), the term Indian homes, communities, and lands shall include non-commercial community structures that are essential to the life of an Indian Tribe or to Tribal government services on Tribal land providing indispensable educational, health, or other community services, such as schools, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, Tribal employees' homes, Tribal offices, and post offices. (2) Authorization of appropriations In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, to remain available until expended, to carry out section 7(a)(1) of the Act entitled An Act to transfer the maintenance and operation of hospital and health facilities for Indians to the Public Health Service, and for other purposes, approved August 5, 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2004a(a)(1)). (c) Technical assistance funding In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, to remain available until expended, for Indian Tribes to enter into contracts for— (1) technical assistance; and (2) activities authorized under section 302(b)(2) of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1632(b)(2)). (d) Operation and maintenance funding (1) In general The Secretary may provide financial assistance for the operation and maintenance of drinking water and sanitation facilities serving Indian Tribes that are owned and operated by an Indian Tribe. (2) Authorization of appropriations In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, to remain available until expended, for the operation and maintenance of drinking water and sanitation facilities serving Indian Tribes under paragraph (1). (3) Priority for funding In awarding funding for the operation and maintenance of drinking water and sanitation facilities under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall prioritize drinking water and sanitation facilities that the Secretary determines to be the most in need of assistance. (4) Future funding For not less than 5 fiscal years after the date on which a drinking water or sanitation facilities project described in paragraph (1) is completed, to the extent to which annual appropriations are available, the Secretary shall include the completed water facilities project as eligible for sustained funding support and guidance to ensure that— (A) the investments in the drinking water or sanitation facilities are adequately maintained and operated for the health and welfare of Indian Tribes served; (B) the infrastructure investment is protected; and (C) the intended health promotion benefit is realized.