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BBAHC Gets over $25-Million From I-H-S for Unpaid Contract Costs

IHS

The Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation is one of 6 Alaska tribal health care organizations set to benefit from a huge settlement with the Indian Health Service. The settlements are the result of a 2012 Supreme Court decision that called for full compensation for tribes that deliver services such as health care. So far this year the I-H-S has reached settlements in Alaska totaling over $193-million dollars. IHS contracts with the organizations to provide health care services to Alaska Natives but the Service has not been paying the full contract support costs, which has resulted in service reductions in many areas of Alaska. It’s expected the total dollar amount of the settlements nationwide could reach upwards of $2-billion dollars. So far 41 settlements nationwide total over $273-million dollars. As part of the settlements the Southcentral Foundation in Anchorage is getting $96-million dollars for contract underpayments dating back to 1997. The Foundation serves more than 60-thousand Alaska Natives and is one of the owners of the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage. The Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation in Dillingham is getting $25.5-million dollars. BBAHC operates the Kanakanak Hospital in Dillingham and a number of health clinics across the Bristol Bay region. The Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation in Bethel is getting $39-million dollars and the Maniilaq Association in Kotzebue is scheduled to get $25-million dollars. The Arctic Slope Native Association in Barrow is getting $6.7-million dollars and the Ketchikan Indian Corporation is getting nearly $365-thousand dollars. According to information provided to Senator Mark Begich there are 91-pending settlement offers nationwide with another 15 in Alaska. He issued statement last week welcoming the news of the settlements but he stressed that a permanent, long-term solution to the funding issue is needed. Senator Lisa Murkowski also welcomed news of the settlements and pledged to press and advocate for high quality medical care for the national First People.

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