Broken Promises: Evaluating the Native American Health Care System

This report includes information from a public briefing held in October 2003 by the Commission on Civil Rights examining the extent and causes of disparities in the health status and outcomes of Native Americans. It also includes information discovered during a survey of existing literature and studies on Native American health disparities, interviews of tribal leaders, tribal members, policy analysts, researchers, care providers, and representatives of the Indian Health Service (IHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The Commission used interrogatories to obtain additional information about IHS and CMS policies and practices before gathering for an informal listening session with tribal members and others concerned about the Native American health care system.