On Wednesday, August 5, the Direct Service Tribes Advisory Committee Held its Fourth Quarter Meeting virtually to provide area report updated and received updates on the Indian Health Service's (IHS) efforts combatting the COVID-19 pandemic from IHS officials including RADM Michael Weahkee and RADM Michael Toedt. 

Main topics of interest for the DSTAC discussed included what COVID-19 vaccine distribution can look like for the Indian health system, including its participation in Operation Warp Speed, access and challenges to current emergency funding and resources, and additionally robust discussion on the anticipated fourth COVID-19 relief package from Congress. The DSTAC expressed the need for additional relief in third party revenue collections, increased funding for water and sanitation infrastructure, and greater access to the Strategic National Stockpile for testing, personal protective equipment, and various cold chain supplies. 

Meeting materials, including area reports, will be published here. 

On July 29, 2020 CMS released a final notice on the approval of the "DNV GL Healthcare USA Inc." to be recognized as a national accrediting organization as a psychiatric hospital. After a detailed evaluation, the hospital is now eligible to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. This final notice is effective July 30, 2020 through July 30, 2021.

On July 30, 2020 IHS released two different Tribal Self-Governance Cooperative Agreements. The first agreement detailed a Planning Cooperative Agreement specifically intends to provide tribes with resources necessary in entering the program. The second agreement details the Negotiation Cooperative Agreement that specifically provides Tribes with resources to help with the costs of preparing for Tribal self-governance program negotiations. Both agreements detail how the program gives tribes the ability to plan and receive the most flexability with their healthcare needs by being able to choose how to receive services. The application deadline for the cooperative agreement is October 28, 2020

On July 31, 2020 a notice from CMS was published on a comment request for the Establishment of Exchanges and Qualified Health Plans; Exchange Standards for Employers. This notice detailed regulations that mandate reporting and data collections involved with the requirements health insurance issuers must meet. This standards also detail how CMS can best communicate eligibility and enrollment updates to insurance issuers in order to more efficiently assist consumers in enrolling in qualified health plans. Comments on these standards are due on August 31, 2020.

On July 31, 2020 CMS published another notice on a collection request for the Home and Community Based Services Waiver Application. The web based application will be used by states to submit or revise waiver requests. This application will also be used to make a formal decision on singular waiver actions. Comments on the web based application are due August 31, 2020.

On August 3, 2020 Politico posted an article that detailed the expectation of the Trump administration to sign an order "aimed at boosting rural health care" through telehealth. The order will focus on a new way of financing rural health care and includes a proposal for permanent extension for some telehealth policies. Through this order the new plan details how Medicare agencies will leverage its authority to try new projects aimed providing financial incentives for rural providers. The total plan is said to be announced within the next 30 days.