NPAIHB Legislative and Policy Update

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Important Dates

Jun 20-24, 2021

NCAI Mid-Year Conference

Registration Link

Jun 22, 2021 (7:00 AM Pacific)

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Hearing on Vaccines

Livestream Link

Jun 23, 2021 (10:00 AM Pacific)

CHAP TAG Meeting

Jun 23, 2021 (11:00 AM Pacific)

CDC TAC Sub-committee Meeting

Jun 24, 2021 (7:30 AM Pacific)

House Committee on Energy & Commerce Hearing on Empowered by Data: Legislation to Advance Equity and Public Health

Livestream Link

Jun 24, 2021 (2:00 PM Pacific)

NPAIHB Tribal Discussion re Veterans Affairs Pharmacy Reimbursement Program

Zoom Link

Jun 28, 2021 (12:00 PM Pacific)

Treasury Tribal Information Session on Fiscal Recovery Funds

Registration Link

Jul 7, 2021 (11:00 AM Pacific)

CDC TAC Sub-committee Meeting

Jun 23, 2021 (10:00 AM Pacific)

CDC TAC Monthly Meeting

Jul 13, 2021 (10:00 AM Pacific)

IHS TSGAC Meeting

July 15, 2021 (12:00 pm Pacific)

DSTAC Monthly Meeting

Jul 20, 2021

MMPC Meeting

Jul 21-22, 2021

TTAG Meeting

Jul 26-29, 2021

NPAIHB Quarterly Board Meeting

Jul 28, 2021 (10:00 AM Pacific)

SAMHSA TTAC Meeting

Federal Health Agency and Congress Tracker (FHACT). An ongoing list of Dear Tribal Leader Letters, Federal agency actions, and legislation introduced in the 117th Congress related to health.

Action Alerts

Veterans Affairs (VA) is conducting tribal consultation on their State Home Program. Section 3004 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 amended the statutory authorities of the State Veterans Home Construction Grant Program and State Home Per Diem Program to allow tribes to participate. The VA is seeking input on any necessary legislative, administrative, or regulatory changes to support VA State Home Program operated by tribes.

• Written comments due Jul 3, 2021

VA Tribal Consultation on Pharmacy Reimbursement Rates. The VA is also conducting tribal consultation on pharmacy reimbursement rates for facilities in the lower 48 states participating in the VA’s Indian Health Service/Tribal Health Program Reimbursement Agreement Program. The Dear Tribal Leader Letter was issued on May 29, 2021, with proposed changes to pharmacy reimbursement rates. NPAIHB will be hosting a tribal caucus to discuss the proposed changes.

• Link to Tribal Discussion re. proposed changes Jun 24, 2021, 2 pm – 3 pm Pacific
• Written comments due Jul 5, 2021.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is seeking input on methods, tools, and approaches to ensure that policies and actions equitably serve all communities, especially underserved populations. 

• Written comments due Jul 6, 2021.

Legislative & Appropriations Updates

H.R.3878 - Childcare Stabilization Fund. Rep. Michelle Steel (CA-48), a member of the Committee on Education and Labor, and Rep. David Schweikert (AZ-06), a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, introduced a bill that would increase access to childcare programs for working parents. The legislation would make subgrants available to employers to use for opening or expanding childcare programs or establishing partnerships with childcare providers.

S.2049 / H.R.3891 - Trafficking Survivors Housing Act of 2021. U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Roy Blunt (R-MO), and Dick Durbin (D-IL), as well as U.S. Representatives Joyce Beatty (D-OH) and Ann Wagner (R-MO), introduced legislation that would commission a study reviewing current homelessness and housing services for survivors of trafficking. The bill was previously introduced in 2019 and 2018.

S.2136 - Human Trafficking and Exploitation Prevention Training Act of 2021. U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Tina Smith (D-MN) reintroduced legislation to help students, parents, teachers, and school personnel to understand, recognize, prevent, and respond to signs of human trafficking. The legislation would provide grants to non-profit organizations and schools to develop and implement age-appropriate, culturally competent, and gender-responsive curriculum, all while prioritizing geographic areas with the highest prevalence of human trafficking.

S.2087 / H.R.3930 - Voices for Veterans Act. U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Susan Collins (R-ME) and Representatives Suzan DelBene (D-WA) and Chris Pappas (R-NH) introduced the bipartisan Act, which would require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to include LGBTQ+ veteran representation in its Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans’ membership and scope. The Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans advises the VA Secretary on the needs of minority veterans including compensation, health care, rehabilitation, outreach, and other VA benefits and services. The committee assesses the needs of the nation’s over 5 million minority veterans and recommends program improvements to meet their specific needs.

Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Appropriations Subcommittee Public Witness Testimony for FY 2022. The deadline to submit written testimony is Jun 24, 2021.

 Instructions to submit testimony available here.

Senate Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee Public Witness Testimony for FY 2022. The deadline to submit written testimony is Jun 25, 2021.

Instructions to submit testimony available here.

Administrative and Regulatory Updates

The U.S. Supreme Court Upholds the Affordable Care Act (ACA)! On Friday, June 17, 2021, the Supreme Court held in California v. Texas that the plaintiffs lacked standing to challenge the ACA and did not reach the merits of the case. Therefore, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act and the ACA remain intact.

Provider Relief Fund Guidance. HHS has released updated information regarding Provider Relief Fund (PRF) reporting and deadlines to expend funds. The deadlines to use funds and reporting time periods are provided below:

• Register for the PRF Reporting Portal
• Review the PRF FAQ

HHS Region 10 Tribal Consultation was held Jun 15-16, 2021. HHS Region 10 will be accepting written testimony until Friday, September 3, 2021.

• Written Testimony may be submitted to consultation@hhs.gov.

Indian Health Service (IHS) announces allocation decision for the remaining $1.8 billion under the American Rescue Plan Act. The funds will be allocated as follows:

• $240 million for public health workforce activities;
• $420 million for mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment;
• $500 million to detect, diagnose, trace, monitor, and mitigate COVID-19 infection; and
• $600 million for COVID-19 related facilities activities.

Department of Commerce announces National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) grants to expand broadband on Tribal lands. The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program provides nearly $1 billion in grants to expand broadband access on Tribal lands. Grants are available for eligible Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian entities for broadband deployment, digital inclusion, workforce development, telehealth and distance learning.

• At our July QBM, we will have Crystal Hottowe, Broadband Program Specialist from the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program present information on this funding opportunity.
• Fact Sheet | Notice of Funding Opportunity

Establishing Office of Minority Health Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC). HHS issued a DTLL to seek tribal input on establishing a TAC to advise the Office of Minority Health on the structure and function of the Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity. Tribal consultation will be held during the 2021 HHS Regional Tribal Consultation Meetings.

• Region 10 Tribal Consultation Jun 14-16, 2021
• Written comments due Aug 20, 2021.

The Administration for Children and Families is requesting a three-year extension of the Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program: Guidance for Submitting an Annual Report to the Secretary to allow for minor updates to be made. The updates relate to changes in timing for reporting.

For more information Laura Platero, Executive Director

Lisa L. Griggs, Executive and Program Ops Assistant | Candice Jimenez, Health Policy Specialist | Liz Coronado, Health Policy Specialist

Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board npaihb.org