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Posted on April 11, 2024
Special Diabetes Program for Indians Receives First Funding Increase in Decades
The Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI), one of the most successful public health programs in the United States, has been reauthorized by Congress with its first funding increase in 20 years. The SDPI was reauthorized in the minibus package (P.L. 118-42) passed by Congress on March 8, 2024, and the program was reauthorized through December 31, 2024. Congress reauthorized the program at a new funding level, putting SDPI at $160 million annually. SPDI had previously been funded at $150 million annually.
Posted on April 11, 2024
Biden Administration Releases Its Fiscal Year 2025 Budget
The final budget proposal of President Biden’s first term has arrived with the release of the FY 2025 President’s Proposed Budget on March 11, 2024. The Budget in Brief, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) FY 2025 budget narrative, lays out the Administration’s further priorities for HHS and its agencies and operating divisions. At a high level, the Biden Administration continues to focus on the impacts of substance use disorders, opioids, and mental health on the U.S. population coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of its FY 2025 request, the Administration has also requested that the expanded tax credits for ACA health benefits coverage be made permanent. This coverage supports more families to receive coverage under the ACA, including in states that have not expanded Medicaid yet. Finally, as part of the President’s efforts to focus on health equity, the Administration focuses on improving maternal health outcomes, continuing its appropriations request to move the IHS to mandatory appropriations, and improving access to health care in rural America—including Indian Country.
Posted on April 11, 2024
CHAP TAG Submits Formal Recommendations to IHS
On March 26 & 27, 2024, the Community Health Aide Program Tribal Advisory Group (CHAP TAG) met to discuss updates on the implementation of the national CHAP to the contiguous 48 states. The CHAP TAG’s role is to provide input and feedback to the Indian Health Service (IHS) on the program’s design and implementation to serve Tribal communities.
Posted on March 27, 2024
United States Supreme Court Skeptical of Federal Government’s Argument in Contract Support Cost Cases
On March 25, 2024, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) heard oral arguments in Becerra v. San Carlos Apache Tribe and Becerra v. Northern Arapaho Tribe. The two cases were previously consolidated and were heard together at the oral argument (the consolidated case is Becerra v. San Carlos Apache Tribe 23-250). The issue of the case is whether the Indian Health Service (IHS) must pay contract support costs (CSC) not only to support IHS-funded activities but also to support the Tribe’s expenditure of income collected from third parties. Observers of the argument were generally optimistic that the Tribes’ case was well received by the Justices during the argument. The Court is expected to issue its decision in the case by June of this year. Continue below for an analysis of the proceedings.
Posted on March 26, 2024
NIHB Applauds Pope’s Embrace of Indigenous Knowledge in Addressing Climate Change
The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) commends Pope Francis for his recent endorsement of incorporating indigenous knowledge in tackling the pressing issue of climate change. In a world increasingly grappling with environmental challenges, the Pope’s acknowledgment of the vital role of indigenous wisdom is a significant step forward.
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National Indian Health Board
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