President Obama will meet with Tribal leaders from each federally recognized Tribe on December 16, 2010. The announcement, made today, is part of the administration’s ongoing effort to reach out to Indian Country to strengthen the nation-to-nation relationship with Indian Tribes. The press release of the announcement is included below.
###FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 15, 2010
President Obama Announces 2010 White House Tribal Nations Conference
WASHINGTON – On Thursday, December 16, 2010, President Obama will host the White House Tribal Nations Conference. As part of President Obama’s ongoing outreach to the American people, this conference will provide leaders from the 565 federally recognized tribes the opportunity to interact directly with the President and representatives from the highest levels of his Administration. Each federally recognized tribe will be invited to send one representative to the conference. This will be the second White House Tribal Nations Conference for the Obama Administration, and continues to build upon the President’s commitment to strengthen the nation to nation relationship with Indian Country.
Media credentialing information will be released at a later date.
The Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight and the Indian Health Service have initiated consultation on the Indian specific provisions related to the state-based exchanges included in the Affordable Care Act. Comments are requested by December 31, 2010.
To view a copy of the Dear Tribal Leader Letter, click here.
To view a copy of the Affordable Care Act Provisions summary table, click here.
The Department of Health and Human Services will hold listening sessions next week in Albuquerque, NM. One event will provide an update on the Affordable Care Act, the other will focus specifically on state-based exchanges. The events are being held in conjunction with the National Congress of American Indians’ Annual Conference and Trade Show. Information for each event can be found below:
Department of Health and Human Services
Tribal Briefing
Date: Monday November 15, 2010
Time: 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. MST
Location: Cimarron Room, Albuquerque Convention Center
The Department of Health and Human Services will provide Tribes with an update on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) which includes recent announcements, current activities, and funding opportunities available to Tribes. The Affordable Care Act contains numerous provisions that will impact American Indian and Alaska Native individuals, Tribes and Indian health facilities. While the reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) was included in the ACA, it is not the only part of the law that impacts Tribes. Many ACA provisions specifically reference Tribes, urban Indian organizations or Indian Health Service (IHS), Tribal and urban Indian health facilities, because of this HHS wants to ensure that Tribes are aware of all ACA activities that may affect Tribes. The session will include an overview of ACA Tribal Outreach efforts, Recap of ACA activities from such HHS agencies as the Administration for Children and Families, Centers for Medicaid & Medicare, Health Resource Services Administration and the Indian Health Service.
Department of Health and Human Services
Listening Session
Date: Monday November 15, 2010
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.MST
Location: Cimarron Room, Albuquerque Convention Center
The Department of Health and Human Services will host a consultation on Indian-specific provisions related to the development of the State Exchanges. One of the main goals of the Affordable Care Act is to increase access to quality and affordable health insurance for all Americans, including First Americans. Starting in 2014, improved choices will be offered through health insurance Exchanges - new, competitive, state-run and consumer-centered health insurance marketplaces. The Exchanges will make purchasing health insurance easier by providing eligible consumers and businesses with "one-stop-shopping" where they can compare and purchase health insurance coverage. The Department of Health and Human Services will be asking for Tribal input on the types of standards that Exchanges should be required to meet. The consultation is requesting specific input on provisions in Title I and Title II that relate to the state-based Exchanges and on the rules and standards Exchanges should be required to meet. Since the Exchanges will not be in place until 2014, now is the best time to provide input before decisions on implementation are made.
President Obama issued a proclamation declaring November "National Native American Heritage Month."
To view a copy of the proclamation, click here.
November is also recognized as Diabetes Awareness Month. To learn more, click here.
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced the release of the HHS DRAFT Tribal Consultation Policy for Indian Tribes to provide comment. HHS has been a leader in Tribal Consultation and wants to assure Tribes that the Department respects the Government-to-Government relationship and is continuously striving to find innovative ways to work with Tribal Leaders and improve the services we provide to members of tribal communities. One mechanism for ensuring that this collaboration is as effective as possible is a Tribal Consultation Policy (TCP) that meets the needs of Indian Tribes and the federal government. In June the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs solicited nominations for a Tribal-Federal Work Group (TFWG). The TFWG was tasked with reviewing Tribal Leader recommendations and reports from the Regional Consultation Sessions, and developing specific recommendations to improve the TCP based on that feedback.
The TFWG has submitted a DRAFT TCP with its recommendations. We have posted the Dear Tribal Leader Letter, Draft Tribal Consultation Policy, along with an executive summary and the TFWG membership on our website for your review. You can find this information at www.hhs.gov/intergovernmental/tribal. Please submit any comments no later than Monday, November 29, 2010, to:
Stacey Ecoffey, Principal Advisor for Tribal Affairs
Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Ave SW, Room 630-F
Washington, DC 20201
E-mail: Stacey.Ecoffey@hhs.gov
Dr. Roubideaux has posted two new blog entries
The Director emphasized in the FEHB post that they have heard concerns from the Tribes regarding the format of the consultation, but the letter actually serves two purposes: 1) to announce the consultation process for Tribes and Tribal organizations to send in comments and 2) a survey to gather information for OPM. The entry explains that the survey is not meant to act as a consultation.
In a separate post, the Director also provided an update on the meeting of the Consultation on Consultation Workgroup in Denver. Outcomes of the meeting include: a formalized advisory group will be instituted; the development of a central consultation page on IHS providing information about workgroups; upcoming consultations and all consultation letters. Additionally the Director announced a Consultation Summit will be held for Tribal leaders to help create a vision for IHS and to provide trainings on the IHCIA and the Affordable Care Act.
To read the Dear Tribal Leader Letter, click here.
Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee (STAC)
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced the establishment of a new Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee (STAC). The STAC signals a new level of attention to Government-to-Government relationship between HHS and Indian Tribal Governments.
“The establishment of a tribal advisory committee at the Secretarial level will create a coordinated, department-wide strategy to incorporate tribal guidance on HHS priorities, policies and budget, improve the Government-to-Government relationship, and mechanisms for continuous improvement with our partnership with Indian Tribes,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “We are committed to continually improving our relationship with Indian Country and building healthier communities.”
The STAC’s primary purpose is to seek consensus, exchange views, share information, provide advice and recommendations; or facilitate any other interaction related to intergovernmental responsibilities or administration of HHS programs, including those that arise explicitly or implicitly under statute, regulation or Executive Order. The first meeting of the STAC is expected to commence in December 2010.
Nominations are currently being sought for one primary representative from each of the twelve areas of the Indian health Service (IHS), as well as five at-large national representatives. All representatives must either be elected or appointed Tribal officials, acting in their official capacity as the elected officials of their Tribe, or be designated by an elected Tribal official with authority to act on behalf of the Tribal official.. Nominations should be submitted no later than Friday, October 29, 2010 to:
Paul Dioguardi, Director
Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
US Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Ave SW Room 630-F
Washington, DC 20201
Fax: (202) 205-2727
Email: HHSIGA@hhs.gov
*UPDATE*
To view NIHB’s response to the consultation, click here.
The Indian Health Care Improvement Act authorizes Tribes operating programs under the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act to access the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program. This provision has received great interest from Tribes. The Indian Health Service and the Office of Personnel Management, which oversees FEHB, have announced a Tribal consultation on this provision. Dr. Roubideaux, MD, MPH, Director of the Indian Health Service announced the consultation on her blog.
To read the Dear Tribal Leader Letter, click here.
To review a presentation on the basics of FEHB, click here.
The IHS and OPM are requesting that Tribes respond within 30 days to a survey attached to the Dear Tribal Leader letter.
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is requesting that Secretary Sebelius expand the investigation of the Aberdeen Area to cover all 12 IHS areas. To read a copy of the letter, click here. The National Indian Health Board will provide updated information as it becomes available on this issue.
This fall, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), a federal agency that gathers information for the U.S. Congress, is conducting a survey of all tribally administered Contract Health Services (CHS) programs as part of a study on funding levels for CHS. If you receive this questionnaire in the mail, we encourage you to respond as the results of this survey will be included in a report to Congress.
UPDATE: Individuals completing this survey please note an updated web address to access the survey is now available; please use existing User ID and passwords. To visit the new page, click here.
The Department of Health and Human Services is engaging Tribes in a consultation as it develops its three-year strategic plan. Comments can be submitted by August 14, 2010. To view a draft of the strategic plan, click here. To view the Dear Tribal Leader letter, click here.
HHS is also hosting two conference calls for American Indians and Alaska Natives, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations. There is a call scheduled for August 3 and August 5, both from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Eastern time. For call information, please consult the Dear Tribal Leader letter.”
The Indian Health Service wrote to Tribal leaders to provide an update on the implementation of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act and the Affordable Care Act. The letter is a follow up to the May 12, 2010 Tribal Leader letter that initiated consultation on the implementation. Updates will continue to be provided on www.nihb.org
The National Indian Health Board submitted comments to Dr. Roubideaux and Mr. Paul Dioguardi of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs at DHHS on the Tribal consultation initiated by the May 12, 2010 Dear Tribal Leader letter. To view NIHB’s letter, click here
The Tribal Technical Advisory Grxoup, the Medicare and Medicaid Policy Committee and the National Indian Health Board also submitted a joint letter in response to the consultation. To view this letter, click here
The White House released a progress report on Tribal issues. This report stems from the Tribal Nations summit convened by President Obama in November 2009. For more information, click here, to read the report click here.
The Indian Health Service will hold a Tribal Consultation on Contract Health Services in Crystal City, VA. The meeting will occur July 8-9. The meeting will be held at
Hyatt Regency, Crystal City
2799 Jefferson Davis Highway
Crystal City, VA 22202
For reservations, please call 1-703-418-1234 and ask for the Room Block for the Director's Listening Session. Reservations will open Friday June 25, 2010
One June 29 and 30, the Tribal Budget Formulation Workgroup will meet in San Diego, CA. The purpose of the meeting is to review the FY 2012 process and begin planning for the FY2013 process. The meeting will take place over two full days.
For more information about the meeting including hotel and meeting details, click here.
The CDC Tribal Consultation Advisory Committee (TCAC) has scheduled its next meeting. The TCAC will meet in Havre, Montana from July 26-28, 2010.
For information about the meeting, visit the TCAC website click here.
Senator Dorgan is seeking input from tribal leaders as he works to revise policy recommendations for Senators on issues in Indian Country. Two listening sessions will be held, on in Washington, DC and one in Rapid City, South Dakota in June. For more information about the listening sessions, click here.
The Department of Health and Human Services and the Indian Health Service have announced a formal Tribal consultation with Tribal leaders on the implementation of the Indian provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. To read the “Dear Tribal Leader” letter click here. Comments are due by July 1, 2010, and are to be submitted to Dr. Yvette Roubideaux, MD, MPH, in writing or by email.
By mail:
Yvette Roubideaux, M.D., M.P.H.
Indian Health Service
801 Thompson Ave, Suite 440
Rockville, MD 20852
Or by email at:
Additional Information:
Prior to adjourning for the Spring Recess, the Senate passed S.RES.412, which designates September as Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Senator George Voinovich of Ohio cosponsored the Senate resolution that raises awareness of childhood obesity by designating “September as Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.” The resolution calls on Federal, Tribal, state and local governments to recognize the month and create programs and activities to address childhood obesity.
Click here to view S. RES. 412 – Designating September 2010 as “National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month”
Representative Marcia Fudge of Ohio has introduced a similar resolution in the House of Representatives, H.RES.996. Representative Fudge’s bill calls for similar action, and notes the epidemic in Indian Country, citing 39.5 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native children ages 2-5 are overweight or obese.
Click here to view H. RES. 996 – Expressing Support for designation of September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
The Tribes eligible to compete for the Planning or Negotiation Cooperative Agreements include: Any Federally recognized Indian Tribe that has not previously received a Planning or Negotiation Cooperative Agreement; Federally recognized Indian Tribes that have previously received a Planning or Negotiation Cooperative Agreement, but chose not to enter the Tribal Self-Governance Program (TSGP); and those Federally recognized Indian Tribes that received a Planning or Negotiation Cooperative Agreement, entered the TSGP, and would like to negotiate the assumption of new and expanded programs. If a Tribe applies for a Planning Cooperative Agreement within the same grant cycle, the Negotiation Cooperative Agreement will be awarded only upon the successful completion of the Planning Cooperative Agreement.
Agency Contacts:
Anna Old Elk, Program Analyst, Office of Tribal Self-Governance Tel. (301) 443-7821 or E-mail: Anna.OldElk@ihs.gov
Kimberly M. Pendleton, Grants Management Officer, Division of Grants Management Tel. (301)443-5204 or E-mail: Kimberly.Pendleton@ihs.gov
To access the Negotiation Cooperative Agreement, please click here.
To access the Planning Cooperative Agreement, please click here.
Each year, HHS hosts regional Tribal consultation session to discuss at a more local level how the Department can continue to improve their outreach and coordination with Tribes, as well as programmatic issue and concerns.
Click here to access the Dear Tribal Leader Letter from DHHS Secretary Sebelius
Dates and locations for the 2010 regional Tribal consultation session are provide in the letter. Postings of more detailed information can be accessed on the DHHS website along with registration information.
Dates and Locations of HHS Tribal Consultation Sessions:
| 1. | Region 10: Seattle, WA | Tuesday, March 23, 2010 |
| 2. | Region 10: Anchorage, AK | Thursday, March 25, 2010 |
| 3. | Regions 1,2,4,& 6: Atlanta, GA | Tuesday, March 30, 2010 |
| 4. | Region 5: Minneapolis, MN | Tuesday, April 20, 2010 |
| 5. | Region 6 & 7: Albuquerque, NM | Thursday, April 22, 2010 |
| 6. | Region 9: San Diego Area, CA | Tuesday, April 27, 2010 |
| 7. | Region 9: Phoenix, AZ | Thursday, April 29, 2010 |
| 8. | Region 8: Denver, CO | Wednesday, May 5, 2010 |
Please contact Stacey Ecoffey, Principal Advisor for Tribal Affairs at (202) 690-6060 or HHSIGA@hhs.gov with any questions.
The Director of Indian Health Service, Dr. Yvette Roubideaux issued an Update on Director’s Priorities on March 01, 2010. This is an overall effort to make I.H.S. more transparent, and to provide updates on the four priorities that were established by the Director which are:
PRIORITY ONE: To Renew and Strengthen our Partnership with Tribes
PRIORITY TWO: In the Context of National Health Insurance Reform, to Bring Reform to I.H.S.
PRIORITY THREE: To Improve the Quality of and Access to Care
PRIORITY FOUR: To Make All of Our Work Transparent, Accountable, Fair, and Inclusive
Click here to access the Update on Director’s Priorities.
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