S. 3767 — Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2026

This section redesignates the Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS)—which provides federal health services to members of over 570 federally recognized tribes—as Assistant Secretary for Indian Health reporting directly to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, elevates the position to Executive Level IV of the Executive Schedule (from Level V under 5 U.S.C. 5316), and increases the total number of HHS Assistant Secretaries from 6 to 7 (under 5 U.S.C. 5315). It deems all prior references in federal law and documents to the IHS Director as references to the Assistant Secretary; authorizes the Assistant Secretary, with Secretary approval, to appoint a Deputy Assistant Secretary and employ necessary staff including attorneys; specifies that the Assistant Secretary's salary shall be paid from the IHS account; and makes conforming amendments to update references, appointment transition dates to the date of enactment of the Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2026 (from 2009), and citations including to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (from 25 U.S.C. 450 et seq. to 5301 et seq.).