Becerra v. San Carlos Apache Tribe
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in Becerra v. San Carlos Apache Tribe and why it matters. Quotes are taken from the syllabus (the Court’s short summary at the start of the opinion).
Summary
A short, plain-English overview of Becerra v. San Carlos Apache Tribe.
The Supreme Court addressed whether the Indian Health Service (IHS) must reimburse tribes for contract support costs incurred when using program income under self-determination contracts. The Court affirmed that IHS is required to cover these costs, as they are necessary for compliance with the contracts. The decision supports the tribes' entitlement to reimbursement for reasonable costs associated with operating transferred healthcare programs.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in Becerra v. San Carlos Apache Tribe.
The Court held that ISDA requires IHS to pay the contract support costs that a tribe incurs when it collects and spends program income to further the functions transferred to it.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in Becerra v. San Carlos Apache Tribe. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
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Why Spending Power is relevant to Becerra v. San Carlos Apache Tribe
The case involves the allocation and reimbursement of federal funds under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, which is related to Congress's authority to spend for the general welfare.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)ISDA requires IHS to pay the contract support costs that a tribe incurs when it collects and spends program income to further the functions, services, activities, and programs transferred to it from IHS in a self-determination contract.
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Why State–Federal Power is relevant to Becerra v. San Carlos Apache Tribe
The case addresses the allocation of responsibilities and financial obligations between federal agencies and tribal governments, implicating the balance of power between federal and tribal entities.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act... enables an Indian tribe to enter into a 'self-determination contract' with the Indian Health Service to assume responsibility for administering the healthcare programs that IHS would otherwise operate for the tribe.
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in Becerra v. San Carlos Apache Tribe that support the summary and concepts above.
ISDA requires IHS to pay the contract support costs that a tribe incurs when it collects and spends program income.
Contract support costs are necessary to prevent a funding gap between tribes and IHS.
The Ninth and Tenth Circuits concluded that each Tribe was entitled to reimbursement for such costs.
