August 31, 2021 | Issue 21-29 |
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NIHB and Indian Country United in Seeking Funding in the Budget Reconciliation |
The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) led Indian health care efforts in the Intertribal Organization letter dated August 19, 2021 to Congressional leaders seeking funding for Indian programs in the Budget Reconciliation currently underway in Congress. At stake is $3.5 Trillion for implementing portions of the President’s domestic agenda as set forth in the Budget Resolutions passed by the Senate and House of Representatives.
Of that $3.5 Trillion, $20.5 Billion has been recommended in the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs for “Native” programs (which could include both Indian and Native Hawaiian programs) and potentially $25.6 Billion in the House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee, to be divided up among 8 subcommittees and programs.
Tribes need to act now to ensure Indian health funding is secured. Encourage your Congressional delegation to consider priorities for Indian Country, by contacting them by phone or email.
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NIHB Tribal Town Hall leads surge on Capitol Hill |
The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) held a Tribal Town Hall on Thursday, August 26, 2021 to call Tribes to action in seeking funding in the Budget Reconciliation for Indian health programs.
Chief William Smith, Chairman of the National Indian Health Board, urged Tribal nations to be “diligent and relentless.” “It will be a fight and hard work ahead of us, but our people deserve nothing less.”
He was joined by Lummi Nation Councilmember, Nickolaus Lewis, Vice Chairperson of the National Indian Health Board, who echoed these words when he stated “[t]his fight for Indian health care is critical. We must get the attention of Congress and the White House to protect our health care and make a difference for our people.”
Staff presentations showed the disparity in Indian health care facility funding. The presentations also demonstrated that if health care facilities (and related expenses such as equipment, Electronic Health Records (EHR), and health IT) are not fully funded in this Budget Reconciliation, then Tribal nations must rely on current appropriations.
According to the Indian Health Service, at the existing replacement rate, a new facility on the IHS facility priority list would not be replaced for 400 years. Tribes must reach out to their Congressional Members immediately to seek more funding for Indian health care, particularly facilities and related expenses.
Tribes need to act now to ensure Indian health funding is secured. Encourage your Congressional delegation to consider priorities for Indian Country, by contacting them by phone or email.
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UPDATES FROM THE FEDERAL & STATE ADMINISTRATIONS |
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HRSA Guidance on Well-Women Preventative Services |
On August 20, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released a notice on updates to the guidance on Well-Woman Preventive Visits, Counseling for Sexually Transmitted Infections, Breastfeeding Services, and Supplies. These updates will be incorporated into the HRSA-supported Women’s Preventative Services Guidelines. Specifically, these guidelines may be incorporated into best practices or other guidance documents for Tribal communities and Tribal health centers associated with women preventative services.
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New Funding from HUD for AI/AN Community Development |
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CMS Navigator Grant Awardees |
This year the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Navigator program has released the largest amount of funding for Navigators all across the country. Navigators are individuals who work with the uninsured population on affordable health care options available to them. In Tribal communities Navigators are extremely important for signing individuals up for health care insurance. To see if your Tribal health care facility has been awarded a grant or to check with Navigator grant in your state you can work with, click here. Specifically, Navigator grants have been awarded to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Ponca Tribe, Montana Tribal Health facilities, Great Plains Tribal Chairmen's Health Board and many other Tribal Health hospitals and facilities.
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New Updates to Medicare Coverage on at Home COVID-19 Vaccines |
On August 24, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released an announcement on expanding Medicare payments for at home COVID-19 vaccinations. This initiative is a part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to increasing access to vaccinations for Medicare beneficiaries who have difficulty leaving their homes. This announcement also includes second and third doses of the vaccine with increased reimbursement costs for providers. This new initiative may be beneficial for Tribal elders or Tribal members enrolled in the Medicare program. For more information on Medicare updates related to COVID-19 vaccine administration click here.
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New Extension of Deadline to Apply for the CMS CDO Program |
On June 3, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the ability for new organizations to join the Certified Application Counselor Designated Organization (CDO) Program. This opportunity will be available for organizations operating in a Federally facilitated Marketplace state and who are interested in providing certified application counselor enrollment assistance to new consumers in their community. Organizations that wish to apply for the 2022 Plan Year must do by September 15, 2021, and by doing so will enter into an agreement with CMS in order to implement the CDO program. This program could be helpful for Tribal health care organizations wishing to include Certified Application Counselors in their facilities to aid in the Marketplace enrollment process for members in their communities. This program also offers a benefits like enhanced technical support from the helpdesk and expedited Marketplace call center codes. CMS has also published a FAQ sheet which can also be of use when deciding if the CDO program would be beneficial for your community. For all technical questions and concerns related to this program please email: CACQuestions@cms.hhs.gov. For questions and concerns related to Tribal engagement with this program please email KBitsuie@nihb.org.
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Consultation on Improving the Consistent and Transparent Process of Paying 105(l) Leases |
On July 27, the Indian Health Service (IHS) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary on Indian Affairs (IA) signed a joint Dear Tribal Leader Letter (DTLL) seeking feedback on the 105(l) lease requirements and payments. A 105(l) lease is a provision of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act that allows Tribes and Tribal organizations to administer Federal functions on their own by entering into a lease agreement with the IA or IHS. Functions associated with 105(l) leases can either be carried out through a self-determination contract or a self-governance compact. In the most recent fiscal year 2021 Omnibus appropriation general provision language for the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the administration of 105(l) leases was addressed with the intent to include a consistent and transparent process for payment of these leases. The IA and IHS is requesting input from Tribal facilities and Tribal leaders on how to improve the processing of 105(l) leases, what the definition of “lease proposal” is, what should be added to the IHS guidelines, input on a possible facility-size guideline document for a wide variety of programs, what criteria should be used to determine a square footage guidelines, what criteria should be used for reasonable lease compensation, and how can guidelines be better written to address facility-type, capacity and sovereignty
For more information on 105(l) lease agreements from the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) please click here.
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Economic Development Webinar for American Indians |
The Ash Center’s Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development released an announcement on the seventh online seminar on navigating the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) titled “A Considered Discussion of ARPA Direct Relief.” The online seminar will be held on September 8, at 4PM. During this online seminar panelists will explain best practices and address recurring issues associated with Indian country and ARPA funds. This online seminar may be beneficial to you, or your community in answering questions, concerns, or best practices on how to collect, disperse and use ARPA funds. To register for the online seminar, please click here. For additional questions related to the online seminar please email info@ash.harvard.edu.
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CMS Webinar on the Marketplace for CACs and Enrollment Assisters |
This webinar will also feature discussions on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and COBRA premium assistance for individuals to elevate their insurance if they have recently lost their employer sponsored health care insurance. Enrollment assisters and Certified Application Councilors (CACs) who work with Tribes and Tribal communities should attend this webinar to understand these new updates and concepts. This webinar will take place from 2:00 to 3:00PM ET. To register for the webinar click here.
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CMS Webinar on Using Data to Find Uninsured and Underserved Customers |
On September 14, at 3:30PM ET the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Servies (CMS) will be hosting webinar on how to use data to find uninsured and underserved customers. This webinar will be in collaboration with the census bureau and is tailored to enrollment assisters and Certified Application Councilors (CACs). Specifically, this webinar is important for Tribal enrollment assisters and CACs associated with Tribal populations to understand how census data can aid their work. More information on how to register for this webinar will be available in next week’s publication.
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September Tribal Self-Governance Conference |
From September 14-16, 2021, the Tribal Self-Governance will be holding a conference to discuss recent issues within Indian Country. Topics at the meeting will include a session on sustainable energy for Tribal communities, public safety within Tribal communities, roundtable discussions from the Department of Health and Human Services, expanding health care infrastructure and other important topics for Tribal communities.
To view a draft agenda of the conference, click here.
To sign up for the conference click here.
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Symposium: Missing or Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives |
In an effort to find lasting solutions to the public safety challenges Tribal communities encounter and to protect them from violence, abuse, and exploitation, a national symposium on missing or murdered indigenous persons (MMIP) related issues for federal, state, Tribal and local stakeholders is being held September 14-16, 2021. This MMIP training is via webinar and will address important topics like data collection, victim advocacy, creating a community strategy for addressing missing persons, and working collaboratively across jurisdictions. The webinar is free. Learn more here.
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HRSA 2021 American Indian/Alaska Native Health Summit—Virtual |
Join the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Office of Regional Operations (ORO) in Seattle in collaboration with Health and Human Services (HHS) operating divisions and Tribal and Urban Indian Organizations in Region 10 for the 2021 American Indian/ Alaska Native (AI/AN) multidisciplinary health summit. The summit will take place September 21-23, 2021. The summit will focus on promising practices and innovative approaches to improve AI/AN health and address disparities in the midst of COVID-19. Read more.
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Save the Date! NIHB's National Tribal Health Conference
October 4-8, 2021
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The Early Bird Registration Rate for the NTHC ends September 3rd! Starting September 4th, registration rates for attendees will increase by $70 to $420. Youth rates will remain the same price of $125.
Join NIHB for 5-days of action-packed plenary sessions, informative workshops from experts across Indian Country, and consultation and listening sessions with federal agencies. Make sure to stick around for the last day of the conference for sessions dedicated to technology in American Indian and Alaska Native health systems!
2021 NTHC Daily Topics:
· Health Equity and the Trust Responsibility: Be Heard, Make Change
· Disruption, Governance, Politics in the Tribal Health Space
· Transformational Approaches to Financing our Health Systems
· Resilience During Periods of Sustained Crisis
· The Rise of Technology to Revolutionize AI/AN Health
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Administration for Children and Families Seeking Nominations for Tribal Advisory Committee |
- Albuquerque Primary and Alternate
- Billings Alternate
- California Alternate
- Oklahoma Primary and Alternate
- Phoenix Primary and Alternate
Vacancies will be filled on a rolling basis. Click here to learn more.
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New Funding Opportunity from NIH for a Resource Center to Serve American Indian and Alaska Native Populations |
On August 9, the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities released a funding opportunity for a selected resource center to provide both support and technical assistance for Tribal Epidemiology centers. This funding is being awarded to aid in research and data science capacity relating to American Indian and Alaska Native populations. If awarded this funding, the center would begin work in July of 2022. If you or an organization within your Tribal community is interested in receiving these funds, please submit a letter of intent by October 30, 2021. To apply online click here.
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HRSA Seeking Nominations for a Tribal Advisory Council |
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.
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New Grant Applications for the IHS TPI Community Health Aid Program |
On July 30, the Indian Health Service (IHS) released a notice on Tribal Planning and Implementation (TPI) of the Community Health Aid Program (CHAP). The IHS is looking for applicants to this grant program in an effort to support the addition of new CHAP programs in Indian Country. The CHAP program provides Tribal communities with a network of health aids who provide disease prevention, health promotion and direct health care while also increasing health services like inpatient and outpatient visits. The TPI program plans to provide resources to support the planning and implementation of CHAP to Tribal communities and organizations in the lower 48. The deadline to submit an application is September 1, 2021.
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New Grant Applications for the IHS TAP Community Health Aid Program |
On July 30, the Indian Health Service (IHS) released a notice on Tribal Assessment and Planning (TAP) Program in collaboration with the Community Health Aide Program (CHAP). Specifically, the IHS is accepting grant applications for the CHAP TAP program. The CHAP program provides Tribal communities with a network of health aids who provide disease prevention, health promotion and direct health care while also increasing health services like inpatient and outpatient visits. The TAP program is designed to assist Tribal communities and organizations in understanding their ability to implement CHAP in their respective communities. The application deadline for this program is September 6, 2021.
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Visit the NIHB COVID-19 Tribal Resource Center at:
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