Governor's Indian Health Advisory Council
The purpose of the Governor’s Indian Health Advisory Council (GIHAC) is to address issues in our state’s Indian health care delivery system. It was created in 2019 through Senate Bill 5415. The Council includes representatives from tribes, Indian health, state agencies, and legislators.
The Council builds upon the planning work of the Governor's Indian Health Council created in 2018 through Senate Bill 6032.
The Council is tasked with:
- Addressing current and proposed policies or actions that have tribal implications (and are not able to be addressed at the agency level).
- Facilitating training for state agency leadership, staff, and legislators on the Indian health system and tribal sovereignty.
- Providing contracting and performance oversight of service coordination organizations or service contracting entities (RCW 70.320.010) to address impacts on services to American Indians and Alaska Natives and relationships with Indian health care providers.
Meetings
| Date | Location | Meeting materials |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuesday, Dec. 3 |
Attend on Zoom or in person 7 Cedars Casino Hotel |
Past meetings
- 2024
-
Date Location Meeting materials Friday, August 16
Hosted by the Swinomish Indian Community on Zoom and in-person:
Swinomish Casino and Lodge
12885 Casino Drive
Anacortes, WA 989221Tuesday, April 30 In-person:
Washington Health Care Authority
626 8th Ave SE, Olympia, WA 98501 - 2023
-
Date Location Meeting materials October 5, 2023 Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families August 17, 2023 In-person:
Washington Health Care Authority
626 8th Ave SE, Olympia, WA 98501
Legislative recommendations
The Council’s 2018 legislative report recommended:
- Establishing the Governor’s Indian Health Advisory Council.
- Establishing the Indian Health Improvement Reinvestment Account for appropriating new state savings while maintaining fiscal neutrality.
- Budgeting funding for Health Care Authority staff to partner with the Indian Health Service and tribal governments to meet federal requirements regarding the 100 percent Federal Medical Assistance Percentage.
- Partnering with tribes to cover expenses for the Governor’s Indian Health Advisory Council to complete the first Indian Health Improvement Advisory Plan.
Workgroup member organizations
| Organization name (A-N) | Organization name (O-Z) |
|---|---|
|
American Indian Health Commission |
Office of the Insurance Commissioner |
|
Colville Indian Health Services (IHS) Service Unit |
Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction |
|
Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation |
Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe |
|
Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation |
Puyallup Tribe of Indians |
|
Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation |
Quileute Tribe |
|
Cowlitz Indian Tribe |
Quinault Indian Nation |
|
Department of Children, Youth, and Families |
Samish Indian Nation |
|
Department of Commerce |
Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe |
|
Department of Corrections |
Seattle Indian Health Board |
|
Department of Health |
Senate, Washington State |
|
Department of Social and Health Services |
Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe |
|
Governor's Office |
Skokomish Indian Tribe |
|
Health Care Authority |
Snoqualmie Indian Tribe |
| Hoh Tribe | Spokane Tribe of Indians |
|
House of Representatives |
Squaxin Island Tribe |
|
Indian Health Service Portland Area Office |
Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians |
|
Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe |
Suquamish Tribe |
|
Kalispel Tribe of Indians |
Swinomish Indian Tribe |
|
Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe |
The Native Project |
|
Lummi Nation |
Tulalip Tribes of Washington |
|
Makah Indian Tribe |
Upper Skagit Indian Tribes |
|
Muckleshoot Indian Tribe |
Washington Health Benefit Exchange |
|
Nisqually Indian Tribe |
Wellpoint IHS Service Unit |
|
Nooksack Indian Tribe |
Yakama IHS Service Unit |
|
Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board |
|