Indian Health Service

The Indian Health Service (IHS) is an agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and is responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The provision of health services to members of federally-recognized tribes grew out of the special government-to-government relationship between the federal government and Indian tribes. This relationship, established in 1787, is based on Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, and has been given form and substance by numerous treaties, laws, Supreme Court decisions, and Executive Orders. The IHS is the principal federal health care provider and health advocate for Indian people, and its goal is to raise their health status to the highest possible level. The IHS currently provides health services to approximately 1.5 million American Indians and Alaska Natives who belong to more than 557 federally recognized tribes in 35 states.

To find services on your reservation or from your tribe please click here.

American Indian Health Service of Chicago is under the Bemidji Area Office- Urban Indian Health Programs. To visit the Bemidji Area website, click here.

* AIHSC is the only health service in the Chicago area that provides information that is not only relative to American Indians but is aimed specifically toward American Indians.