(a) Salaries, travel expenses, and per diem rates for employees of existing Indian health programs shall be no greater than the rate set for State employees in like circumstances. Exceptions shall be granted only when no provider of services is available to the program at the rate set for State employees.

(b) Rates for reimbursement of services provided on a fee-for-service basis shall be no greater than the prevailing rates in the community in which the provider of services offers services.