Navajo President Demands Funding Protections in IHS Realignment Talks

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren met with Indian Health Service leadership on January 5 in Flagstaff to discuss a proposed IHS realignment and its potential effects on Tribal communication, coordination, and healthcare delivery. The meeting focused on how structural changes would affect the flow of funds and services to Tribal communities, including those in McKinley County that rely on facilities such as Gallup Indian Medical Center.

IHS officials told President Nygren the realignment is intended to strengthen Tribal relations by preserving area offices as the primary points of contact for tribes. Under the plan, area leadership would be expected to concentrate more directly on partnerships, consultation, and helping tribes navigate IHS and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services systems. Officials also emphasized the need to improve internal coordination and ensure consistent, transparent communication across the agency.

A central concern for tribal leaders was the protection of Tribal shares, funds designated for the delivery of healthcare services to tribal citizens. President Nygren stressed the importance of safeguarding those resources and of maintaining current funding levels during any organizational change. “We want to ensure that the funds our communities currently receive are protected and do not diminish through this process,” President Nygren said. In response, IHS outlined steps it said would preserve Tribal shares, including the development of a national Tribal shares database and a crosswalk system to ensure funding remains traceable under the proposed structure.

Participants also raised operational issues that affect local service delivery: timely and effective communication between service unit leadership and upper management, clear lines of authority during emergency situations, and continued attention to facilities and infrastructure that impact patient care. Nygren reiterated the importance of advancing priority healthcare projects, naming the Gallup Indian Medical Center as a focus.

IHS representatives noted the consultation period for the proposed realignment remained open through February 9, and they said additional opportunities for Tribal input are planned as the process moves forward. For residents of McKinley County, the outcome of the consultation could influence how easily local tribes and clinics access federal support, how emergency responses are coordinated, and whether priority facility projects receive sustained attention and funding. The next weeks will determine whether the agency’s assurances translate into durable protections and clearer channels between Tribal health providers and federal leadership.