The extension for the HealthCare.gov Special 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.

Summer Sprint to Coverage Toolkit.

On July 26, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in collaboration with the Department of Justice (DOJ) released guidance on “long COVID” and disability rights related to “long COVID”. Specifically, this guidance details how liability nondiscrimination laws apply to specific people affected by COVID-19 and categorizes “long COVID” as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. This initiative is one of many HHS launched to address long COVID, including a study on the disease collaborated through the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  

To access the HHS guidance, click here.

To access the DOJ guidance, click here.

Additional resources for individuals with “long COVID” can be found here.

The Indian Health Service (IHS) recently announced Dr. Loretta Christensen as its new Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Christensen is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation and will lead the IHS on medical and public health issues to advise IHS’s Office of the Director and IHS staff. Dr. Christensen previously served as the Chief Medical Officer for the Navajo Area Indian Health Service from 2017-2021 and has been the Acting IHS Chief Medical Officer from May to June of 2021. Before her role at the Navajo Area IHS, Dr. Christensen served for 17 years as the Clinical Trauma Director and Associate Director of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Jersey Shore University Hospital. She is also a board-certified general surgeon and a fellow at the American College of Surgeons.  

For more information on Dr. Christensen and to read the announcement click here.

On July 30, the Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack remarked on the confirmation of Janie Simms Hipp, citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, who was recently appointed as the General Counsel of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Overall, Mr. Vilsack was grateful that Ms. Simms Hipp was recently appointed as he believed she was more than qualified to carry out and enforce regulations pertaining to the USDA through keeping in mind the interest of the American people who serve in USDA programs and services. Vilsack also highlighted how Ms. Simms Hipp will significantly contribute to the department's efforts of expanding opportunities to those who reside in rural communities, specifically communities that have experienced generational poverty. Through her appointment Vilsack feels confident that the USDA will effectively live up to its responsibility to provide nutrition assistance to children and families. 

On July 27, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released an announcement on “$121 million in American Rescue Plan Funding to support local community-based efforts to increase COVID-19 vaccinations in underserved communities.” Funding from this initiative will go to community-based organizations across the nation that are working to build vaccine confidence and are able to answer questions pertaining to vaccine hesitancy. This initiative is a part of the Biden-Harris goal to encouraging individuals to get vaccinated to save lives and could be beneficial for American Indian and Alaska Native Communities with community-based organizations to aid in the fight against COVID-19.

On August 6, the White House Released a readout of the Second Meeting of the White House Council on Native American Affairs. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Domestic Policy Advisor Susan convened the meeting with Cabinet Secretaries and senior administration officials. Discussions at this meeting included aiding and supporting the government-to-government relationship through the advancement of self-determination. Other topics also included the announcement of a Nation-to-Nation dialogue on COVID-19 and improving health systems in Indian Country this fall. This dialogue will include discussion on federal management programs and resources to report the latest data. From this dialogue a workplan will be formed in an effort to strengthen federal emergency response.

On Tuesday August 10, 2021, from 3PM ET-4PM ET the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) will be hosting a webinar in collaboration with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Division of Tribal Affairs (DTA) and the Office of Minority Health (OMH) on “Recent Trends in Third-Party Billing at Urban Indian Organizations.” This webinar will highlight Medicaid, Telehealth in relation to the response of the pandemic. This webinar will cover barriers and best practices for third-party reimbursement at Urban Indian Organization, a history of telehealth billing and reimbursement before and during the pandemic as well as, Medicaid utilization. 

To register for the webinar, click here: Webinar Registration - Zoom 

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.

On August 5, the Biden-Harris Administration in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released an announcement on the distribution of $90 million in funding for rural communities to help combat opioid use disorders and other forms of substance use disorders by improving access to maternal and obstetrics care. This funding could help American Indian and Alaska Native communities in rural areas combat the issues in their communities related to opioid use disorders and other substance use disorders. This will total $384 million that has been awarded to the Rural Community Opioid Response Program that services in rural communities in 47 states and 2 territories. These awards will go through the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Implementation, Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Psychostimulant Support Program, Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategic Program, and the Rural Northern Border Region Planning Program. 

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 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. 

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.  

On July 29, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), will award $250 million to 100 Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers. This funding will be used to improve community substance use disorder and mental health treatment services. Specifically, $77 million of this funding will be made possible through the American Rescue Plan. Funding for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics programs located on or near Tribal communities could aid in the advancement of services in new facilities and or make services more affective at existing facilities. To locate a facility near or in your community click here: Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Grant Awards | SAMHSA

On July 27, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released an announcement on “$121 million in American Rescue Plan Funding to support local community-based efforts to increase COVID-19 vaccinations in underserved communities.” Funding from this initiative will go to community-based organizations across the nation that are working to build vaccine confidence and are able to answer questions pertaining to vaccine hesitancy. This initiative is a part of the Biden-Harris goal to encouraging individuals to get vaccinated to save lives and could be beneficial for American Indian and Alaska Native Communities with community-based organizations to aid in the fight against COVID-19.