Chairman Smith described the potential benefits of the $2 Billion in broadband funding under the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act could have for Indian health care in Tribal communities but noted regulatory barriers for the telehealth still exist. He also commended the provisions in the CONNECT for Health Act bill, S.1512, introduced by Senator Schatz, which focus on certain telehealth regulatory barriers and will have long-lasting benefits for Indian health care. He urged the Committee to continue oversight and coordination with the Administration to implement additional technology, including telehealth, health IT, and electronic health records management, more effectively for Indian health.
“On behalf of the National Indian Health Board, I want to thank the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and Senator Schatz and Senator Murkowski in particular, for hosting this important Roundtable. The discussions held today build upon the successes of the NIHB’s Health IT Summit held December 14, 2021. The Committee leadership recognizes the importance of telehealth and health IT in Native communities and worked hard to include special Tribal Broadband funding in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. NIHB looks forward to working with Committee and the Administration to implement the innovative changes for Tribal health care envisioned by this law,” said Chairman William Smith, NIHB.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is intended to carry out portions of the President’s domestic agenda related to infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and broadband. NIHB has advocated for the bill since its introduction.
Chief Executive Officer of NIHB, Stacy Bohlen, citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians remarked, “We applaud the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in advancing Indian health care through this critical Roundtable. It highlighted the importance of technology and telehealth for Tribal nations. But it also reminded us all that there is much more work to do to bring equity and parity to health care delivery for Indian people. Together with the NIHB’s 2021 Health IT Summit, this Roundtable will be a catalyst for more telehealth, health IT, and electronic health records modernization efforts and partnerships with Congress and the Administration to create a next generation Indian health care system.”
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