ANTHC reaches settlement with federal government

The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium has reached a settlement agreement with the federal government for contract support costs owed under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA).

 

ANTHC President/CEO Natasha Singh released the following statement on this important development:

 

“ANTHC welcomes the authorization of this settlement, addressing contract support costs that have long been owed to Tribes that assumed responsibility for delivering healthcare on the federal government’s behalf. This settlement marks an important step toward ensuring that resources accurately reflect the true cost of operating a complex Tribal health system and advancing self-determination in healthcare. 

 

In anticipation of this settlement, the ANTHC Board of Directors committed resources toward long-standing needs across our system of care, which provides essential statewide services on which all Alaska Tribes rely. This has enabled major investments already underway, including funding the largest expansion to the still federally owned Alaska Native Medical Center, construction of an ANTHC Skilled Nursing Facility, and overdue investments in technology, infrastructure, and other critical resources that support patients, providers, and communities across Alaska. 

 

Similar settlements are occurring across the Alaska Tribal Health System following the 2024 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Becerra v. San Carlos Apache Tribe, which clarified the federal government’s responsibility to cover these costs. Elements of ANTHC’s settlement are still being finalized, but this gives us a stronger foundation to expand access, improve care, support our workforce, and make thoughtful long-term investments to advance the health of Alaska Native and American Indian people.”