NPAIHB Legislative & Policy Update
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
IMPORTANT DATES
Jun 9, 2021(10:00 AM Pacific)
NPAIHB Tribal Caucus on Region 10 Tribal Consultation

Jun 9, 2021(11:00 AM Pacific)
IHS Tribal Consultation on Buy Indian Act Proposed Rulemaking
 
Jun 9, 2021(11:30 AM Pacific)
TTAG Monthly Meeting
 
Jun 14, 2021(11:00 AM Pacific)
NIH Tribal Consultation on NARCH Evaluation
 
Jun 14-16, 2021
HHS Region 10 Tribal Consultation

Jun 15, 2021(10:00 AM Pacific)
IHS Health IT Modernization Listening Session
 
Jun 17, 2021(10:00 AM Pacific)
IHS Health IT Modernization Listening Session
 
Jun 17, 2021(12:00 PM Pacific)
DSTAC Monthly 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
IHS Tribal Consultation.IHS announced initiation of Tribal Consultation on Tuesday, Jun 8 at 10:00 Pacific to seek input and recommendations to improve the IHS Tribal Consultation Policy.  Additionally, IHS is seeking nominations of two Tribal Leaders from each Area to serve on the IHS Director's Advisory Workgroup on Tribal Consultation. Nominations are due to the IHS Area Director by Jun 15, 2021
LEGISLATIVE & APPROPRIATIONS UPDATES
H.R.3700 - Clean Water for Rural America Act Reps. Delgado (NY) and Van Drew (NJ) introduce bipartisan Clean Water for Rural America Act. The bill would increase funding for technical assistance grants within the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), providing critical support for communities to access Clean Water Act programs.
H.R.3674 - Vet Center Support Act. Rep. Phillips (MN) introduced legislation that would identify barriers to constructing new Vet Centers and increasing staff capacity to assess how well veterans' mental health needs are being met in underserved areas. Vet Centers are community-based health providers that offer mental health services and readjustment counseling to veterans, active duty, National Guard members, Reservists, and their families.
H.R.3587 - Requirements, Expectations, and Standard Procedures for Effective Consultation with Tribes (RESPECT) Act. This legislation codifies for the first time a requirement that federal agencies consult with tribal governments before taking or permitting actions that would significantly impact them.
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.
Senate Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee Public Witness Testimony for FY 2022.  The deadline to submit written testimony is Jun 25, 2021.  
ADMINISTRATIVE and REGULATORY UPDATES
President's FY 2022 Budget.  On May 28, 2021, President Biden released his FY 2022 budget request which includes a number of notable Indian Health Service (IHS) increases and requests.  The $8.5 billion IHS budget request includes:
  • +465.5 million for Hospitals and Health Clinics;
  • +216 million for Purchased/Referred Care;
  • +72.6 million for Dental;
  • +16.1 million for Alcohol and Substance Abuse;
  • +124.6 million for Mental Health;
  • +250 million for Electronic Health Record;
  • +20 million for national expansion of Community Health Aide Program;
  • +22 million for HIV/Hep C;
  • +155 million for Sanitation Facilities Construction;
  • Request to reclassify CSC and 105(l) lease funding to mandatory for FY 2023; and
  • Request for advance appropriations of $9 billion for FY 2023.  
Indian Health Service (IHS) is hosting virtual listening sessions on next steps for health IT modernization.  
Department of Commerce announces National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) grants to expand broadband on Tribal lands. Vice President Harris, Secretary Raimondo and Secretary Haaland made an announcement during a White House event on the availability of nearly $1 billion in grants to expand broadband access and adoption on Tribal lands. The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program was established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. Grants will be made available to eligible Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian entities for broadband deployment as well as for digital inclusion, workforce development, telehealth and distance learning. NTIA is holding a series of webinars to further inform the public about the program.
National Institutes of Health will be conducting tribal consultation on the Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) program evaluation.  NARCH underwent a formal program evaluation to ensure the program optimally meets the health, research, and education needs of Tribal Communities.
  • Consultation anticipated date: June 14, 2021 at 11:00am Pacific
  • Zoom Link for Consultation
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.
 
VA Plans Expansion of Benefits for Disability Claims. The VA is adding three conditions to the list of those associated with exposure to Agent Orange. Those conditions include bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, and Parkinsonism. Vietnam War era Veterans and their survivors who previously filed claims and were denied will have their cases automatically reviewed. The VA is also reviewing recommendations and considering rulemaking related to respiratory conditions related to particulate matter exposures during military service in the Southwest Asia region.
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.
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
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