Greg Stanton (D-AZ)
Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House voice vote
- In Senate committee
The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2025. It changes the title of the head of the Indian Health Service from Director to Assistant Secretary for Indian Health. The new Assistant Secretary will report directly to the Secretary. The bill also allows for the appointment of a Deputy Assistant Secretary. Additionally, it updates federal pay scales to reflect these new positions.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +7
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
Elevates the leadership and reporting structure of the Indian Health Service, potentially improving resource access and policy influence for Native Americans.
- Scored +3
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
Elevating the IHS leadership position may lead to better advocacy and resource allocation for Native American health services.
- Scored +2
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
Many IHS facilities are in rural areas; improved leadership may benefit rural health infrastructure.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Section 2(a): This provision renames the head of the Indian Health Service to an Assistant Secretary for Indian Health and specifies that this person shall report directly to the Secretary. This could be considered positive because it elevates the leadership position.
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Section 2(a): This provision allows the Assistant Secretary to appoint a Deputy Assistant Secretary with the approval of the Secretary. This might be considered positive because it adds leadership support to help administer the activities of the service.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain any specific sections or provisions that identify potential negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Elevates the leadership and reporting structure of the Indian Health Service, potentially improving resource access and policy influence for Native Americans. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Many IHS facilities are in rural areas; improved leadership may benefit rural health infrastructure.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Elevating the IHS leadership position may lead to better advocacy and resource allocation for Native American health services.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Increases the institutional power of the agency dedicated to Native American health, promoting health equity for Indigenous peoples.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Slightly increases the hierarchical power within the federal Department of Health and Human Services.
- 9/15/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- 9/14/2026
- The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5568)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5568)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 741.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5568-5570)
- Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 8/27/2026
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-767, Part I.
- Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 668.
- 8/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/14/2026
- Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs Discharged
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
- 3/14/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/5/2025
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 1/29/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs.
- 1/28/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
David JoyceRepublican · Ohio
Zoe LofgrenDemocrat · California