Lumbee Tribe Secures Federal Recognition Amid Chronic Underfunding of Indian Health Service

By Andrew Jones · KFF Health News · 2026-07-31

According to reporting from KFF Health News, the North Carolina-based Lumbee Tribe recently achieved sovereign nation status, unlocking federal health resources for its 55,000 citizens. While tribal leaders anticipate that these new funds will form the core of their future budget

According to reporting from KFF Health News, the North Carolina-based Lumbee Tribe recently achieved sovereign nation status, unlocking federal health resources for its 55,000 citizens. While tribal leaders anticipate that these new funds will form the core of their future budget