NIHB Focus Areas
News
NIHB is Hiring!
We are seeking qualified candidates for the following open positions based in Washington DC:
Research Project Manager: Health Care Reform Marketplace
Policy Associate: Medicare, Medicaid and Health Care Reform
National Indian Health Board Deputy Director
Tribal Health Reform Policy and Program Associate
Funding Announcements
2014 Tribal Behavioral Health Native Connections Grants
Applications are due Tuesday, June 17 2014
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2014 Tribal Behavioral Health (Short Title: Native Connections) grants. The purpose of this program is to prevent and reduce suicidal behavior and substance abuse and promote mental health among American Indian/Alaska Native young people up to and including age 24.
American Indians Look to Veterans’ Model for Stable Health Budgets
By Kerry Young, CQ HealthBeat Associate EditorGroups representing American Indians are looking to adapt a strategy used by veterans’ associations to secure more stable funding for tribal health needs and relieve the strain on a system that faces some of the nation’s most serious medical crises.
The National Indian Health Board, National Congress of American Indians and the National Council on Urban Indian Health and the Maniilaq Association are backing a pair of bills (S 1570,HR 3229) that would allow the Indian Health Service to receive advance appropriations, meaning that Congress would settle on more than one year’s budget at a time. Congress began doing this for the Veterans Health Administration for fiscal 2010 with the goal of giving the agency more flexibility to do longer-term planning...
Posted - April 2, 2014
Native American Leaders Promote Affordable Care Act in National Indian Health Board Video
BILLINGS, Mont.--April 3, 2014--During its full day of free Affordable Care Act training for Tribes, today in Billings, MT, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) launched a media campaign featuring American Indian elders. The launch was marked by the national debut of a public service announcement (PSA) for American Indian and Alaska Native elders highlighting how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) improves the health care for Native elders.
Posted - April 2, 2014
NIHB Tribal Public Health Summit Focuses on Building Capacity and Partnerships on First Day
BILLINGS, Mont.--April 1, 2014--The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) opened its 5th Annual National Tribal Public Health Summit in Billings, Mont. with a powerful, passionate keynote address from one of Indian Country's most renowned physician and a leading resource on Indian health.
Dr. Donald Warne, Director of the Master of Public Health Program at North Dakota State University, impressed upon nearly 400 Summit attendees that to build effective public health capacity in Indian Country the investments, resources and mind-sets need to change...
Posted - March 24, 2014
National Tribal Day of Action To #GetCoveredNow
Today is the National Tribal Day of Action for Affordable Care Act Enrollment. Over 65 events are being hosted in tribal communities across the nation and President Obama wants to ensure that every American Indian and Alaska Native has the information they need to take advantage of new health care options available under the health care law...
Read full article at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/03/24/national-tribal-day-action-getcoverednow
Posted - March 24, 2014
MARCH 24: NATIONAL TRIBAL DAY OF ACTION FOR AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ENROLLMENT!!
Get Covered on Today's National Tribal Day of Action for ACA Enrollment
Today is the National Tribal Day of Action for the Affordable Care Act Enrollment. This is a prime opportunity for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) to enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace at www.healthcare.gov.
The open enrollment deadline set for March 31, 2014 is quickly approaching. And, even though members of federally recognized Tribes have a special monthly enrollment status, it is important for AI/AN individuals and families to learn about their insurance options. Whether it's purchasing insurance through the Marketplace or qualifying for Medicaid, knowing that you have quality coverage will provide peace of mind.
Posted - March 18, 2014
Comment Period for MSPI and DVPI Funding
Indian Health Service recently released a Dear Tribal Leader Letter that was calling for comments from Tribal leaders regarding potential future funding for the Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative and the Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative. The comment period closes on March 27, 2014. This is an important opportunity for Leaders to support two critical programs in our communities… Read More
Posted - March 14, 2014
Summary of Congressional Briefing on SDPI
On Tuesday, March 12, the office of Congressman Tom Reed (R-NY) and the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) held a briefing on the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI). As you may recall, SDPI is set to expire on September 30, 2014. We have a critical opportunity to have this program renewed by March 31, when Congress must renew the Medicare Extender legislation that is typically the legislative vehicle for SDPI...Read More (PDF)
Posted - March 4, 2014
President releases the FY 2015 Budget request to Congress
Today the President released the FY 2015 Budget request to Congress. This officially kicks off the appropriation season. In the coming months, Congress will use this request as a baseline as it develops the FY 2015 budget.
Overall, the FY 2015 budget request totals $3.901 trillion and would increase taxes on the wealthy (by formalizing the “Buffet Rule”), cut the size and pay of the military and expand social programs. Most of the proposal will not be enacted by Congress, but will still serve as a benchmark as FY 2015 spending is finalized. You may also find this infographic from the Washington Post interesting:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/presidential-budget-2015
For the Indian Health Service the President requested $6 billion, and increase of $228 million or 4 percent over FY 2014. The budget fully funds contract support costs and provides increases for Purchased/referred care (aka contract health service) for medial inflation (5%); and clinical services. The budget also restores the cuts that were made to the Indian Health professions; tribal management and self-governance accounts in the FY 2014 operating plan in order to fully fund contract support costs.
The Administration has released a brief (attached) today but more details will be shared in the coming days. Please stay tuned for a more detailed analysis from NIHB. You can view the whole Health and Human Services Department brief here: http://www.hhs.gov/budget/#brief
IHS FY 2015 Budget in Brief (PDF)
Posted - February 20, 2014
Indian Health Service releases its FY 2014 operating plan
On February 18, 2014, the Indian Health Service released its FY 2014 operating plan. As you may recall, on January 17, 2014, Congress passed an appropriations bill to fund the Federal government for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2014 (FY 2014). The law removed caps on Contract Support Costs (CSC) and created a way for the Indian Health Service (IHS) and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to fully fund CSC in 2014. Given the parameters of the legislative language, the “way” to fully fund CSC was by moving money from other IHS and BIA line items into CSC.
Today, IHS released their FY 2014 operating plan which details the funding for each spending account for the remainder of the fiscal year. The plan funds Contract Support Costs and made reductions in other areas from FY 2013. Accounts receiving those reductions for FY 2014 include Self-governance ($1 million), Tribal Management ($1 million) and Indian Health Professions ($5 million).
IHS Budget Review FY2012-2014: Click Here (PDF)
IHS Budget FY2014: Click Here (PDF)
BIA Budget FY2014: Click Here (PDF)
Please contact Caitrin Shuy at cshuy@nihb.org with any questions on the FY 2014 budget.