News
Posted on November 14, 2024
NIHB Releases 2024 Tribal Prenatal-to-Three Policy Agenda
The National Indian Health Board is excited to announce the release of the 2024 Tribal Prenatal-to-Three Policy Agenda. This document aims to identify the most impactful policy levers to support the health and wellbeing of Tribal families, focused on the earliest years of life. This brief highlights both the opportunities and complexities that arise within the unique context of Tribal communities. The information presented is the sum of a three-year project supported by the Pritzker Children’s Initiative, wherein NIHB conducted thorough research and analysis through a review of existing literature, engaging with subject matter experts through interviews and roundtable discussions, and soliciting feedback from Tribes through a series of listening sessions. The final document presents a thorough overview of cross-cutting policy challenges and solutions to best address upstream drivers of health for Tribal families and children.
Posted on November 12, 2024
Consultations on Contract Support Costs Funding Methods
From September 25th to October 9th the Indian Health Service (IHS) hosted a total of 5 consultations to solicit Tribal input on funding methodologies for the payment of eligible Contract Support Costs (CSC) incurred by Tribes and Tirbal Organizations (T/TOs) related to the expenditures of health program income. The Dear Tribal Leader Letter explained that the Contract Support Costs Advisory Group (CSCAG) had already met a number of times to discuss needed changes to the existing funding methodology to address the calculation of CSC on expenditures of program income. Read more about the Supreme Court case that led to consultation here.
Posted on October 25, 2024
NIHB Interim CEO Joins President Biden for Historic Apology on Indian Boarding Schools
A Historic Moment Long Overdue
Earlier today, President Joe Biden delivered a historic apology for the U.S. government’s role in overseeing Indian boarding schools today, addressing decades of cultural suppression faced by Native American children.
NIHB's Interim CEO, A.C. Locklear, JD, (Lumbee) attended the event at Gila Crossing Community School in Arizona, representing the voices of Tribal health advocates. His presence underscores NIHB’s commitment to healing and supporting Native communities.
"President Biden’s apology is a moment of validation for our communities, recognizing the profound trauma endured by generations of Native children and families—including my own mother,” said William “Chief Bill” Smith, NIHB Chairman and Valdez Native. “We view this as a step toward healing, but the journey is far from over. Our ancestors’ resilience and the preservation of our languages and cultures are a testament to our strength."
Posted on October 17, 2024
CMS Approves Traditional Healing 1115 Demonstrations for Arizona, New Mexico, California, and Oregon
A Historic Win for Indian Country
Yesterday, October 16, 2024, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) issued approvals for section 1115 demonstrations to allow for Tribal traditional healing reimbursement in Arizona, New Mexico, California, and Oregon. Medicaid 1115 demonstration waivers grant state Medicaid programs the flexibility to waive specific federal requirements to perform a “demonstration project” to show how a particular approach can provide better services that improve a Medicaid program. Arizona, New Mexico, California, and Oregon have all included traditional healing elements in their 1115 demonstration requests that have been set aside for further federal review—until today.
Posted on October 02, 2024
NIHB Receives National Partners Cooperative Agreement Funding
We are pleased to announce that the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) has been selected as one of the recipients of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC)National Partners Cooperative Agreementfunding. As the largest umbrella funding mechanism at CDC, it has been a valued, flexible mechanism for 16 years to fund partners to support public health infrastructure and workforce needs.
With this funding, NIHB will work alongside other national partners to strengthen public health systems, address health disparities, and promote health equity, particularly for American Indian and Alaska Native populations. Our focus will be on:
Strengthening Tribal public health capacity and infrastructure;
Enhancing collaboration between Tribal health organizations and other public health entities;
Improving Tribal maternal health outcomes;
Supporting efforts to address social determinants of health and reduce health inequities in Tribal communities.
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National Indian Health Board
50 F St NW, Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20001 | Phone: 202-507-4070 | Email: [email protected]