News

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

HELP SAVE INDIAN HEALTH CARE FROM SEQUESTRATION – SHARE YOUR STORY!

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is collecting stories from Tribes, Tribal health organizations and advocates for Indian health about the specific impacts that the 5.1% in automatic budget cuts for FY 2013 known as “sequestration” will have on your Tribal health programs. NIHB will use this information to tell the story to Congress about the real consequences of these cuts. Share as much as you can and have your voice be heard!”

Submit a Sequestration Story



Posted: May 16, 2013

Dear Tribal Leader Letter re: FY 2013 Funding for MSPI and DVPI

On May 6, 2013, Dr. Yvette Roubideaux, the Director of Indian Health Service sent a Dear Tribal Leader Letter requesting recommendations on funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 for the Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative (MSPI) and the Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative (DVPI). You may review the Dear Tribal Leader Letter at: CLICK HERE

Comments are due no later than 30 days from the date of the letter. After recommendations have been received, the agency will announce a decision regarding FY 2013 funds.



Posted: May 13, 2013

INVITATION: Consultation on the Implementation of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013

On March 7, 2013, President Obama signed into law the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA 2013). This Act strengthens the Violence Against Women Act with increased protections for Native American women and other victims previously left vulnerable by gaps in the law. During the signing ceremony the President emphasized in his remarks, “Tribal governments have an inherent right to protect their people, and all women deserve the right to live free from fear.” Accordingly, VAWA 2013 established a voluntary Pilot Project, which authorizes certain tribes to exercise criminal jurisdiction over non-Indian perpetrators of domestic violence.

CLICK HERE to view a letter from Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West, inviting you to participate in government-to-government consultations with the United States Department of Justice on implementation of the voluntary Pilot Project established under Sections 904 and 908 of VAWA 2013.



Posted: May 3, 2013

NIHB and NCUIH urge Congress to pass and sequestration exemption for IHS

In partnership with the National Council on Urban Indian Health, the National Indian Health board sent a letter to Congressional Leadership urging Congress to pass a legislative exemption for the Indian Health Service from sequestration in response to a recently-passed measure that would reduce the impact of sequestration on the Federal Aviation Administration.

View the letter (PDF)



Posted: April 24, 2013

NIHB Chairperson Cathy Abramson presents priorities for Indian Health at a Joint Tribal Budget Briefing in Congress

On April 22, 2013 the National Indian Health Board Chairperson Cathy Abramson presented priorities for Indian Health at a Joint Tribal Budget Briefing in Congress, called “Honor the Promises to Tribal Nations in the Federal Budget.” The briefing was co-hosted by the National Congress of American Indians, NIHB and seven regional Tribal organizations. The briefing was attended by Tribal leaders and Congressional staff.

Click here to read her full statement.

Click here to view her presentation.



Posted: April 10, 2013

President Obama Releases FY 2014 Budget

Today, the President released its FY 2014 budget request to congress. Though many programs were cut, the budget still includes an increase for Indian Health Service. You can read NIHB's analysis here. For more information please visit NIHB’s Legislative page.

Highlights of the FY 2014 Budget request for Indian Health Service

  • The Budget includes an increase of $124 million to support and expand the provision of health care services and public health programs for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs).
  • The Budget includes $879 million, an increase of $35 million or four percent over FY 2012 for Purchased/Referred Care (formerly known as Contract Health Services) for the purchase of medical care from outside the IHS system.
  • The Budget funds contract support costs at $477 million, an increase of $6 million above FY 2012.
  • The Budget includes $85 million for Health Care Facilities Construction.
  • The Budget includes an additional $77 million to support staffing and operating costs for ten new or replacement health facilities to be completed by FY 2014.
  • The FY 2014 Budget continues funding for the successful Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) at $150 million.
  • The funding increases included in the FY 2014 Budget request reflect the Administration's commitment to provide health care to AI/ANs and to continue progress in changing and improving the IHS.


Posted: April 1, 2013

The National Indian Health Board supports National Public Health Week!!
April 1-7, 2013

The National Indian Health Board encourages all American Indians and Alaska Natives to participate in National Public Health Week, which recognizes the value of public health in everyone's lives! This year's theme - "Public Health is Return on Investment (ROI): Save Lives, Save Money" - highlights the tremendous return on investments provided by public health that focus on prevention, lowering health care costs, and saving lives.

Each day this week will focus on a different role for public health in our everyday lives:

For more information on National Public Health Week, please click here.



Posted: March 13, 2013

“Our Cultures Are Our Source of Health” PSAs

Traditional knowledge about health and its role in preventing type 2 diabetes

Actor Wes Studi approaches stickball game being filmed for a public service announcement in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Photo courtesy of the Cherokee Nation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of Diabetes Translation (DDT) Native Diabetes Wellness Program (NDWP) and the Traditional Foods Program’s tribal partners are pleased to announce the availability of 30- and 60- second video public service announcements (PSA) and an 8-minute video entitled Our Cultures Are Our Source of Health. The PSAs highlight the wisdom of cultural knowledge, including harvesting local foods and playing traditional games, in promoting health and preventing diseases like type 2 diabetes in American Indian and Alaska Native communities...

More Information

PSA Footage Includes: Our Cultures Are Our Source of Health, featuring Wes Studi; videos are available in 30- seconds, 60- seconds, and 8-minute lengths. 



Posted: March 9, 2013

On Thursday, President Obama signed the Violence Against Women Act at the Department of the Interior

See a video and hear comments of those that attended the ceremony at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oweS1DR3F2Q



Posted: March 4, 2013

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Releases Report to Congress on the Joint Committee Sequestration for Fiscal Year 2013

On March 1, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released its Report to the Congress on the Sequestration for Fiscal Year (FY) 2013. The Report provides calculations of the amounts and percentages by which various federal agency budgetary resources are required to be reduced over the seven months remaining in the fiscal year and a listing of the reductions required for each non-exempt budget account.

As a result of the Congress’s failure to enact legislation to stop the sequester, President Obama was required by law to issue a sequestration order on March 1 canceling $85 billion in budgetary resources across the federal government for FY 2013. As noted in the Report, the Indian Health Service (IHS) discretionary lines – IHS services and facilities – are subject to a 5% cut, which translates into a cut of $195 million for services and a $22 million reduction for facilities in FY 2013. The IHS mandatory account for the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) is subject to a 2% cut of $3 million.

For a copy of the OMB March 1 Report, CLICK HERE



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