Health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives eligible for medical and health-related services from the federal government, specifically the Indian Health Service (IHS), is assessed. The basic population eligible for IHS services consists of "persons of Indian descent belonging to the Indian community served by the local facilities and program." Eligible Indians may receive IHS services regardless of their ability to pay. IHS estimates its service population by enumerating American Indians, Eskimos and Aleuts living within the geographic boundaries of its service areas, and adjusting those numbers for subsequent years by applying birth and death statistics. The report was requested by the House Subcommittee on Indian Affairs and the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. Principal issues identified by the requesting committee were: the health status of the subject group, services provided in view of their health needs, health delivery systems, and the growing problem financing the high-cost care that IHS facilities cannot provide. Findings and conclusions are summarized, and options on major issues outlined. Information on the Indian population and Federal-Indian relationships is provided. Later chapters trace changing health problems and status, regional health differences and particular concerns among Indians, and describe sources of Indian health care emphasizing IHS programs. (JMM)