US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

25 U.S.C. § 1621l

Patient travel costs

(a)

Definition of qualified escort

In this section, the term “qualified escort” means—
(1)
an adult escort (including a parent, guardian, or other family member) who is required because of the physical or mental condition, or age, of the applicable patient;
(2)
a health professional for the purpose of providing necessary medical care during travel by the applicable patient; or
(3)
other escorts, as the Secretary or applicable Indian Health Program determines to be appropriate.
(b)

Provision of funds

25 U.S.C. 4501
1 See References in Text note below.
The Secretary, acting through the Service and Tribal Health Programs, is authorized to provide funds for the following patient travel costs, including qualified escorts, associated with receiving health care services provided (either through direct or contract care or through a contract or compact under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( et seq.))  under this chapter—
(1)
emergency air transportation and non-emergency air transportation where ground transportation is infeasible;
(2)
transportation by private vehicle (where no other means of transportation is available), specially equipped vehicle, and ambulance; and
(3)
transportation by such other means as may be available and required when air or motor vehicle transportation is not available.

Pub. L. 94–437, title II, § 213Pub. L. 102–573, title II, § 208106 Stat. 4551Pub. L. 111–148, title X, § 10221(a)124 Stat. 935(, as added , , ; amended , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

25 U.S.C. 450Pub. L. 93–63888 Stat. 2203section 5301 of this titleThe Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( et seq.), referred to in subsec. (b), is , , , which was classified principally to subchapter II (§ 450 et seq.) of chapter 14 of this title prior to editorial reclassification as chapter 46 (§ 5301 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.

Pub. L. 94–43790 Stat. 1400section 1601 of this titleThis chapter, referred to in subsec. (b), was in the original “this Act”, meaning , , , known as the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.

Codification

Pub. L. 111–148section 10221(a) of Pub. L. 111–148Amendment by is based on sections 101(c)(2) and 129 of title I of S. 1790, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, as reported by the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate in Dec. 2009, which were enacted into law by .

Amendments

Pub. L. 111–1482010— amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section directed Secretary to provide funds for patient travel costs for emergency air transportation and nonemergency air transportation where ground transportation was infeasible and authorized appropriations for fiscal years 1993 to 2000.

Pub. L. 111–148 substituted “The Secretary” for “(a) The Secretary” prior to general amendment of section. See above.