December 13, 2021 | Issue 21-36 |
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Congress Passes Government Funding Bill Through February 18, 2022 |
Late Thursday, Congress passed H.R. 6119, the Further Extending Government Funding Act, to fund the federal government through February 18, 2022, at level funding. The President signed this temporary measure into law on Friday so no shutdown of the government will occur, for now. That additional time is expected to give Congress more time to negotiate final Appropriations bills. The National Indian Health Board advocated for Congress to include Advance Appropriations and funding levels at no less than what the House of Representatives recommended at $8.114 Billion. Time is short, but Tribes can still reach out to the Congressional Appropriations leaders and respective Members of Congress to support inclusion of Advance Appropriations and at least this funding level. |
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UPDATES FROM THE FEDERAL & STATE ADMINISTRATIONS |
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Upcoming Tribal Consultation from IHS on the Distribution of New Funding |
On November 22, the Indian Health Service (IHS) released a Dear Tribal Leader Letter on initiating Tribal consultation on the allocation of $210 million from the American Rescue Plan Act, $3.5 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and $2.35 billion already in the process of appropriation by the Build Back Better Act. These funds will be used to support a variety of needs including public health workforce activities, sanitation facility construction, behavioral health services and Tribal epidemiology centers. This Tribal consultation will take place on December 14, 2021, from 1PM to 3PM EST. To join the consultation click here. Written comments on the distribution of these funds are due December 23, 2021, and can be emailed to consultation@his.gov.
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CMS Webinar on the Marketplace and Tribal Sponsorship |
On December 16 from 1 to 2PM ET the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will be hosting a “Health Insurance Marketplace for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) and Tribal Sponsorship” webinar. This webinar will highlight specific policy changes from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) that has helped reduce health care costs, outreach and enrollment efforts, and has allowed for individuals or families to receive premium tax credits. The webinar will also include a presentation on “Enrollment of Tribal Citizens and Other Indian Health Service (IHS) Eligible Individuals in Health Insurance Coverage through a Marketplace, Including Use of Tribal Sponsorship” to better help AI/AN governments and leaders learn how to pay health insurance premiums for their members. Enrollment assisters and Certified Application Councilors can also attend this webinar to learn more about ARP and the changes that might impact health care coverage in their communities. To register for the event, click here. Even though AI/ANs can enroll in the Marketplace at any time, families with non-tribal individuals have until January 15, 2022 to apply.
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Funding for COVID-19 Vaccine Visits for Children and Youth |
On December 2, the Centers for Medicare, and Medicaid Services (CMS) released an announcement on the matching of 100% Federal Medicaid Matching funds that will now be available for state expenditures on certain COVID-19 vaccine counseling visits for children and youth. CMS will match these visits for children under the age of 21 and will require states to cover standalone vaccine counseling visits related to all pediatric vaccines. This initiative is possible through the American Rescue Plan and could be beneficial for American Indian and Alaska Native families of mixed decent who have young children in need of the COVID-19 vaccine or COVID-19 counseling.
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Marketplace Open Enrollment is Now Open |
On November 1, individuals can preview 2022 health insurance plans through HealthCare.gov. The Marketplace Open Enrollment Period will run from November 1 to January 15. 2022 and is the perfect opportunity for individuals who are looking to change or update their health care coverage or for those who are interested in applying for health care coverage.
These changes may be helpful for American Indian and Alaska Native people who have families of mixed decent and who are interested in changing their health care plan or enrolling in a new plan. For additional assistance click here or visit your Indian Health Service, Tribal health clinic and Urban Indian facility and see your Tribal enrollment assister to help you through the application process. For an updated fact sheet click here.
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Medicare Open Enrollment is Now Open |
The Medicare Open Enrollment Period ends December 7, 2021. This period also includes updating and review your Medicare plan — it's worth at least checking to see if your current plan remains your best option for more information American Indian and Alaska Native individuals should talk to their Patient Benefit Coordinators and their Tribal enrollment assisters to make sure the Medicare plan, they sign up for does not affect the services they already receive at your local Indian Health Service (IHS) facility or Tribal health care facility.
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Dear Tribal Leader Letter on Upcoming Meetings for the CDC/ATSDR TAC |
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Administration for Children and Families Seeking Nominations for Tribal Advisory Committee |
- Billings Alternate
- California Alternate
Vacancies will be filled on a rolling basis. Click here to learn more.
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Information Systems Advisory Committee |
· Billings: Primary and Alternate
· Great Plains: Primary and Alternate
· Nashville: Primary and Alternate
· Navajo: Primary and Alternate
· Phoenix: Primary and Alternate
· Tucson: Primary and Alternate
Vacancies will be filled on a rolling basis. Click here to learn more.
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Centers for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity Tribal Advisory Committee
The Office of Minority Health (OMH) is recruiting primary and alternate delegates for the Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity Tribal Advisory Committee (CIIHE TAC).
CIIHE will support efforts including education, service and policy development, and research related to advancing sustainable solutions to address health disparities and advance health equity among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) populations. As OMH moves forward with standing up the Center, the CIIHE TAC will play a role in helping to ensure OMH has Tribal input that is critical for the Center’s success and effectiveness.
OMH is seeking nominations for representatives from the following areas:
· Alaska Area
· Albuquerque Area
· Billings Area
· Great Plains Area
· Nashville Area
· Navajo Area
· Phoenix Area
· Portland Area
· Tucson Area
· National At-Large Members (4)
The deadline for nominations is January 7, 2022, at 11:59 PM EST.
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HRSA Seeking Nominations for Tribal Advisory Council
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is seeking nominations for their Tribal Advisory Council (TAC). Currently, the areas open for nomination include California, Great Plains, Phoenix, and Tucson Areas.
TAC Recruitment Information
- These individuals are required to be Tribal officials who have the authority within their Tribe to act on behalf of their communities and who represent the collective views of the Tribes in the area from which they were nominated. These individuals when nominated will serve a length of two years before new nominations will take place.
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Eligibility criteria for those interested in applying can be found here.
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White House Tribal Briefing |
The White House is hosting a Tribal briefing tomorrow, Tuesday (12/14) at 3:00 PM Eastern Time. We will cover key updates from the Administration including about Covid-19, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Build Back Better (BBB), and more.
What: White House Tribal Briefing
Date: Tuesday, 12/14
Time: 3:00 PM Eastern Time
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Visit the NIHB COVID-19 Tribal Resource Center at:
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