The $1.7 trillion omnibus budget bill signed by President Joe Biden in the last week of 2022 will provide a much-needed boost to many government tech programs this year. Notable is the $7 billion in funding provided to the Indian Health Service, which for the first time will receive advance appropriations.

“Advance appropriations are necessary to ensure continued access to critical health care services for American Indians and Alaska Natives,” Indian Health Service Director Roselyn Tso said in an agency press release. “Predictable funding will allow us to disburse funds more quickly and enable IHS, tribal and urban Indian health programs to effectively and efficiently manage budgets, coordinate care and improve health outcomes for American Indians and Alaska Natives.” …

The additional funding impacts technology programs at IHS, which over the past year has advocated for resources to bolster its public health emergency preparedness and infrastructure, research, and physical and mental health care… Read the full article here.