Which agency provides health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives?

• A. Indian Health Service (IHS)
• B. National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• C. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• D. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

Answer: (A)

Identifying which federal agency delivers health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The Indian Health Service is the federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that provides comprehensive health services to American Indian and Alaska Native populations. It runs clinics and hospitals and also funds tribal and urban Indian health programs through contracts and grants, reflecting a government trust responsibility and, in many cases, tribal self-determination arrangements.

The other agencies have different roles: the National Institutes of Health focuses on biomedical research rather than direct health service delivery; the Food and Drug Administration regulates foods, drugs, and medical devices; and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality conducts research to improve healthcare quality and safety but does not directly provide health services.