Following the consideration of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Package, the US Senate will consider a Budget Reconciliation resolution before the Senate August recess, currently scheduled for August 6. This measure would govern social programs such as childcare, education, Medicare expansion, and tax cuts for families with children and to purchase health insurance.  

Leading up to this deliberation in the Senate, NIHB has submitted letters to Congressional leadership outlining priorities for healthcare infrastructure and specifically health IT mondernization.   

Encourage your Congressional delegation to consider priorities for Indian Country, by contacting them by phone or email.

On July 29, 2021, the US House of Representatives passed a seven-bill "mini-bus" including Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies (Interior) appropriations and the Labor, Health, and Human Services and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) appropriations.

The legislation contains $8.1 billion for the Indian Health Service (IHS), an increase of $1.9 billion above FY 2021 enacted. President Biden had requested $8.5 billion for IHS in FY 2022, but the bill largely follows the request of the Biden Administration. The bill contains $5.8 billion for IHS services and $1.3 billion for IHS facilities.

The legislation contains $10.571 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an increase of $2.7 billion above FY 2021 enacted. President Biden had requested $9.5 billion for CDC in FY 2022, but the bill largely follows the request of the Biden Administration. The bill contains $842 million for Public Health Preparedness and Response, which includes a targeted increase of $20 million for Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Cooperative Agreements.

Under CDC, the Committee increased funding for the Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country (GHWIC) program at $27 million for FY 2021, a substantial increase over the $22 million enacted for FY 2021.

NIHB published on a more in depth Interior appropriations report here.

The Senate has yet to introduced spending bills for FY 2022 but is expected to begin consideration after the return from the August recess.

On July 14, Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D. was sworn in by Xavier Becerra, the Secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Ms. Delphin-Rittmon has previously completed a two-year White House appointment working as a Senior Advisor to the then-Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and Administrator of SAMHSA.

On July 22, the Centers for Medicare, and Medicaid Services (CMS) released an informational bulletin on changes to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulation: “Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds Final Rule.” This final rule was originally published on August 14, 2019. This rule details regulations relating to the requirement that states must safeguard applicant and beneficiary information. This 2019 Public Charge final rule is no longer in effect and has been vacated. The “Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds; Implementing of Vacatur” rule is now in effect and restores the regulatory text to read as it was originally issued before the 2019 Public Charge Final Rule. This updated beneficiary information may only be shared as it applies toward the administration of Medicaid state plan or Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage.

On July 22, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released an announcement on the Biden Administration’s National Testing Initiatives. Specifically, the Biden Administration aims to invest more than $1.6 billion to support COVID-19 testing and mitigation in vulnerable communities. Through the American Rescue Plan the Biden Administration aims to detect, diagnose, trace and monitor infections and mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 disease in homeless shelters, treatment and recovery facilities, domestic violence shelters and federal, state and local correctional facilities as well as Tribal shelters supportive services for survivors of domestic and dating violence.

On July 22, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released an announcement on $100 million in funding to be used in Rural Health Clinics for COVID-19 vaccine outreach to increase vaccinations. These funds will go to more than 1,980 Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) in an effort to develop vaccine confidence and outreach efforts to lessen the effect of the Delta variant.

On July 22, the Centers for Medicare, and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a rule on the Medicare program’s 2021 Alternative Payment Model (APM) Incentive Payment Advisory for Clinicians-Request for Current Billing Information for Qualifying APM Participants. This is an advisory alert for physicians who ae AMP participants, on how to update their billing information to receive payment. Physicians who are AMP participants in your local Tribal clinics and Tribal facilities should be aware of this proposed rule in order to implement these changes in their billing methodology. Updated billing information must be received by November 1, 2021.

On Wednesday August 4 at 4PM ET, the Ash Center’s Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development will be hosting a webinar titled “Investing in Your Tribes’ Infrastructure”. This webinar is intended to teach Tribes on the challenges presented by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and will include discussions from a wide assortment of guest experts. To register for the event, please follow this link: Navigating the American Rescue Plan Act: A Series for Tribal Nations, Session 6 | Ash Center (harvard.edu) and for any additional questions or concerns you may have please email info@ash.harvard.edu

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will be hosting four HHS Regional Tribal Consultation Sessions to collaborate with Tribes on regional specific issues related to HHS policies and programs. These sessions will also provide Tribal leaders with a means to consult with leadership within HHS on national-level issues.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will be conducting a webinar on “How to Develop a Competitive Grant Application.” Specifically, the Office of Financial Resources is hosting this webinar to inform individuals on how to construct a successful competitive grant application. The webinar will be conducted on August 26, September 30th or October 28th.

Specific topics discussed during the webinar will include the four separate registration processes that must be completed, the specific components of the Notice of Funding Opportunity, preparation needed to apply for the grant, how to respond effectively to evaluation criteria and access to specific resources and technical assistance. Any of the three webinars mentioned above may be beneficial for Tribes and Tribal governments interested in understanding successful strategies when applying for competitive grants.

The Heath Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will be distributing $103 million in grant opportunities such as funding for a Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Technical Assistance Center, the Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Training Program and Promoting Resilience and Mental Health Among the Health Professional Workforce. These grants can be beneficial for Tribal communities who aim to address resiliency among the healthcare and public safety workforce. Applications for these grants are due August 30, 2021.

This is a reminder that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a “Go-Dark” period where Assister Certificate Training will not be available on the Marketplace Learning Management System (MLMS). Specifically, the MLMS will be taken offline at 6PM ET on August 2, 2021. During this time CMS will prepare the 2022 Assister Certificate Training. Individuals interested in becoming enrollment assisters.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is seeking nominations for their Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC). They are seeking nominations for representatives from the following areas:

Vacancies will be filled on a rolling basis. Click here to learn more.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is seeking nominations for their Tribal Advisory Council (TAC). 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. Currently, the areas open for nomination include the Albuquerque Area, California Area, Phoenix Area, and the Tucson Area. To see the work the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) has done on Tribal Advisory Committees please click here. Eligibility criteria for those interested in applying can be found here.

On March 23, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced an extension for the HealthCare.gov Special Enrolment Period. Originally through May 15, the extended enrollment period goes through August 15, 2021. The reason for the extension is to allow families to obtain Marketplace health care coverage during the ongoing public health emergency.

For more information on the special enrollment period, visit the CMS website here.

The National Indian Health Board will be hosting its upcoming National Tribal Health Conference (NTHC) from October 4-8, 2021. The theme of this year's conference is, "The Future of Native Health in Our Changing World" NIHB is now accepting proposals for ALL workshop sessions until August 6, 2021. Workshops are excellent opportunities to share best or promising practices, recent research or program outcomes, and provide an in-depth exploration of new or arising issues or policies. Submit a workshop proposal for a 75-minute presentation relevant to one of the following daily topics. 

Learn More and Submit a Proposal | Submission Deadline: August 6, 2021

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is now accepting nominations for the 2021 Outstanding Service Awards. Each year, the NIHB invites nominations for awards that recognize excellence, achievement and contributions that go "above and beyond" the call of service and honors efforts made by individuals, organizations and programs that have enriched and improved American Indian and Alaska Native health, health systems or policy at the local, regional, and national level. All nominations must be received through the online form by 11:59 PM ET on Wednesday, August 4, 2021.