Billings Urban Indian Health and Wellness Center opens to serve the Billings urban Indian population

The Indian Health Service and the Native American Development Corporation held a grand opening celebration today for the Billings Urban Indian Health and Wellness Center Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov , which will provide health care services for approximately 5,900 urban Indians residing in the metropolitan area of Billings, Montana.

“Partnering with the Native American Development Corporation to open the Billings Urban Indian Health and Wellness Center underscores IHS’ commitment to provide quality health care for urban Indians in and around the Billings area,” said Rear Adm. Michael D. Weahkee, IHS principal deputy director. “We are addressing the health needs of urban Indians across the nation by partnering with urban Indian organizations to provide access to comprehensive, culturally appropriate health services.”

The new facility, located at 1230 N. 30th St. in Billings, will accept patients beginning October 25th. It will provide primary medical care and behavioral health care under one roof, continuing the Indian Health Service's commitment to better serve patients by integrating behavioral and physical health care.

“The Native American Development Corporation accepted the challenge, through a contract with the Indian Health Service, to once again establish an urban Indian health clinic in Billings. We are working in close cooperation with IHS to provide quality and sustainable health services to Billings Native Americans, through an integrated process with other providers and programs,” said Billings Urban Indian Health and Wellness Center Interim Executive Director Leonard Smith.

The new Billings Urban Indian Health and Wellness Center will help IHS meet the growing demand for health care in the Billings Urban Indian Community. Urban Indian Health Programs are funded through grants and contracts from the IHS, under Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. Many receive funding from other sources as well, including local government, foundations, or other sources.

Urban Indian Health Program services in Billings were previously provided by Indian Health Board of Billings, a not-for-profit organization that closed in May 2017.

The Native American Development Corporation is a nonprofit Community Development Corporation and certified Native American Community Development Financial Institution with a long-standing presence in the Billings community.

The IHS, an agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for approximately 2.2 million American Indians and Alaska Natives. Follow IHS on Facebook Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  and Twitter Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov .