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NIHB Passes Resolutions Supporting Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and Opposing Changes Veterans’ Administration’s MOU with the Indian Health Service
On Thursday, September 22, 2016, the National Indian Health Board signed two resolutions. The first resolution expresses support for the Stand Rock Sioux Tribe for its opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline. The NIHB is dedicated to assisting and promoting the health needs and concerns of Indian people. The prevention of harm to the health and well-being of Indian people is an essential aspect of the purpose of NIHB. The Board believes water is the foundation of all life on Earth and its preservation is essential to human survival. The Board also encourages its member organizations to pass such resolution.
Click here to read this resolution. The second resolution passed by NIHB expresses support for the current IHS/Tribal – Veterans’ Administration (VA) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and recommends that the VA not consolidate the IHS/Tribal Reimbursement Program into one standard program. This consolidation would cause unnecessary pre-approvals, obstruct the continuity of care for American Indians and Alaska Native Veterans and infringe on IHS and Tribal authority under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. Click hereto read this resolution.
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The Affordable Care Act: What Native Youth Need to Know” Video and Toolkit Debut
On Tuesday September 20, 2016 NIHB released “The Affordable Care Act: What Native Youth Need To Know” video, which follows future leaders of Indian Country as they experience Washington D.C. at the NIHB Youth Summit, interact with members of the Senate, and learn about the Affordable Care Act and health care for Indian Country. The film then follows several of these young leaders to their home communities where they reflect on the lessons they learned in Washington D.C. and the importance of Tribal health care reform for themselves and their communities. Click here to watch the video.
For more information about the Toolkit please contact Win Reilly at:wreilly@nihb.org
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| Capitol Hill Updates |
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No Agreement Yet for Continuing Resolution as Government Shutdown Looms
Lawmakers have yet to come up with an agreement to keep the federal government funded past the end of the fiscal year on September 30. Senate Democrats blocked the latest proposal offered by Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) because it does not contain funding to alleviate the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. Republicans have argued that the problem was created by state and local governments, and is therefore may not qualify as federal emergency aid typically used for natural disasters.
As drafted, the proposed continuing resolution would fund the federal government until December 9, 2016. The funding agreement would also contain funding targeted at Zika Virus mitigation and relief for recent flooding in Louisiana.
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IHS Reform Legislation Is Moving
S. 2953 IHS Accountability Act
The Indian Health Service (IHS) Accountability Act was introduced by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Senator Barrasso (R-WY), and Senator John Thune (R-SD) in May 2016. The bill was the outcome of months of Committee investigation, an oversight hearing and listening session in February, the 2010 Dorgan Report, and countless emails and phone calls with Tribal stakeholders on how to improve the IHS.
On September 21, 2016 the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs passed the legislation out of Committee favorably. The bill will now be eligible for consideration by the full Senate. The version of the legislation that passed the Committee last week includes a substitute amendment intended to strengthen the accountability and transparency requirements for the IHS. Chairman Barrasso also added, “The substitute amendment would also require the IHS to work with Tribes in developing a meaningful policy on Tribal consultation.”
H.R. 5406 HEALTTH Act
A House version of IHS reform legislation, the Helping Ensure Accountability Leadership, and Trust in Tribal Healthcare (HEALTTH) Act, was also introduced this spring by Representative Kristi Noem (R-SD). The HEALTTH Act was considered by the House Ways and Means Committee on September 21, 2016 and the provisions of the bill that would offer tax-free student loan repayment for IHS staff was unanimously approved (Section 201). Because the legislation has been referred to multiple committees of jurisdiction, the bill will now need to be considered by the House Natural Resources and Energy and Commerce Committees. It is expected that a revised version of the legislation addressing several Tribal concerns will be introduced before further action is taken.
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Administration and Organizational Updates
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US Department of VA Initiates Tribal Consultation on Consolidating its IHS/Tribal Reimbursement Agreements
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently sent a Dear Tribal Leader Letter (DTLL) initiating Tribal consultation on the VA effort to improve continuity of care and health care access for Veterans by consolidating multiple community care (non-VA care) programs into one standard program with standard reimbursement rates. This impacts the VA Reimbursement Agreements between the Indian Health Service (IHS) and Tribal heath programs to provide thousands of Veterans access to community care. There is concern that this consolidation will result in unnecessary pre-approvals, obstruct the continuity of care for AI/AN veterans, and infringe on IHS and Tribal authority under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. Last week, NIHB Board of Directors passed a resolution recommending that the VA not consolidate its IHS/Tribal reimbursement agreements.
The Tribal consultation with the VA will be held in-person on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 between 9:00AM and 11:00AM EST at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), 4th Street and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20560. If you are planning on attending the Tribal consultation, please RSVP to tribalgovernmentconsultatio
For more information, please contact Devin Delrow, Director of federal relations atddelrow@nihb.org.
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Upcoming Events, Calls and Webinars
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U.S. Department of Agriculture to Host a Special Consultation Call to Discuss SNAP Proposed Rule
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in response to NIHB’s comment to its USDA’s proposed rule on Enhancing Retailer Standards in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In NIHB’s comment, several recommendations were made, including:
NIHB’s comment also requested Tribal consultation before the rule is finalized. In response, USDA is holding this special consultation call on Wednesday, September 28th at 10 AM – 11 AM EST. The call-in information can be found below.
Date: Wednesday, September 28th, 2016
Time: 10 AM – 11 AM EST
Conference call number: 888-844-9904
Access code: 2449616
Host code: 3169776
Please contact Devin Delrow, Director of Federal Relations, at ddelrow@nihb.org for more information. |
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Veterans Affairs Consultation on Consolidating Care
There will be an in-person Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Formal Tribal Consultation on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 between 9:00am-11:00am EST at the Smithsonian – National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC.
The consultation will address consolidating multiple community care programs (non-VA Care), into one standard program with standard rates. This impacts the Reimbursement Agreements between IHS and Tribal Health Programs. Written comments may also be submitted to tribalgovernmentconsultatio
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IHS Conference Call – September 29
Please join Ms. Mary Smith, Principal Deputy Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS), for an overview and discussion of the realignment of IHS Headquarters offices as well as some new management initiatives.
DATE: Thursday, September 29, 2016
TIME: 3:30PM – 5:00PM Eastern Time
TELECONFERENCE:
Dial-in: (888) 787-0206
Participant Passcode: 1724616
WEBINAR LINK:
PARTICIPATION:
This discussions is intended for Tribal Leaders.
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