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Posted November 16, 2020
NIHB Leads Efforts on Joint Letter to Indian Health Service Regarding Expanding Tribal Self-Determination and Self-Governance Authority for Special Diabetes Program for Indians
On Friday, November 13, NIHB was joined by ten Tribes and Tribal organizations in a letter submitted to Indian Health Service (IHS) Director Weahkee and members of Congress outlining the Tribes' final and official position on a legislative amendment to the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) to permit Tribes and Tribal organizations to receive SDPI awards through Title I self-determination contracts or Title V self-governance compacts.
Read the full letter
Posted November 10, 2020
NIHB sends letter to USCCR Regarding Withholding of COVID-19 Report
The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) has submitted a letter to the United State Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) to express concern about their recent decision to not release a report that detailed COVID-19’s impact on Indian Country. In the letter we expressed our belief that this report contains information that would be vital for helping Tribal leaders respond to the pandemic, through both direct action and advocacy for policy changes. We are deeply disappointed in this decision and the lack of justification provided for it. We hope that the USCCR reverses this decision and releases their report.
Read the full letter
Posted November 3, 2020
NIHB Briefs Stakeholders on the Importance of the Special Diabetes Program for Indians
On Tuesday, October 27 the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), along with the Endocrine Society and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), hosted a virtual briefing to educate Congressional staff about the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) and the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) and its importance of extending both programs before the continuing resolution expires on December 11, 2020. Together, all three organizations are advocating for a long-term reauthorization of 5 year and $150 million per program per year.
Earlier in October, the Indian Health Service (IHS) announced the release of their 2020 Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) Report to Congress, Changing the Course of Diabetes: Charting Remarkable Progress. This new report highlights SDPI's ongoing and outstanding contributions to improvements in diabetes care and health outcomes for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people. In the report, Ann Bullock, Director of the IHS Division of Diabetes states, "These improvements have huge implications for quality of life and health care costs. Sustained efforts in diabetes prevention and treatment are critical to ensuring continued advances in the health of AI/AN people. The SDPI has been, and continues to be, key to this remarkable progress." A recording of the virtual briefing may be viewed here.
Posted November 2, 2020
New Deadline Announced for Tribes to Choose COVID-19 Vaccine Plan
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on today’s national webinar hosted by the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), that Operation Warp Speed has approved a one week extension for Tribes with healthcare facilities to determine their vaccine distribution preference. HHS sent a Dear Tribal Leader Letter urging that Tribes with healthcare facilities now have until November 6 to contact the Indian Health Service (IHS) to indicate if they would like to be included in IHS’ distribution or contact their state health authority if they want to be included in the state's distribution.
The expedited deadline for Tribes to respond with their decision quickly became one of NIHB's top concerns. In regard to the Administration’s evolving plans to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine, NIHB continues to offer a platform for Tribes to participate in national Tribal advocacy efforts to ensure the Tribes' voices are heard. NIHB commends the work of national and regional Tribal organizations, along with all Tribes across Indian Country, to make certain that the concerns of Tribal Nations are acknowledged and addressed. NIHB, with nine other organizations, submitted a letter to HHS Secretary Azar asking for an extension of the deadline, more information on the vaccine plans, and greater flexibility for Tribes.
Tribes are encouraged to reach out to their state health authority and their IHS Area Office COVID Vaccine Point of Contact to better understand the details of their COVID-19 plans to help make this decision based on the information available to date. The new deadline is November 6, 2020.
- If your Tribe already submitted its preference and wishes to keep its decision, no further action is needed. Tribes can choose to receive the vaccine through their IHS Area Office or state health authority.
- If your Tribe already submitted its preference and wishes to change its decision, please contact [email protected] to make a correction.
NIHB Resources on HHS/IHS COVID-19 Vaccine Planning
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