Tribal Consultation
Tribal governments have played a central role in advocating for the improvement of health care among American Indians and Alaska Natives. This partnership with Tribal governments is key and a foundation of the National Indian Health Board.
With 564 federally recognized tribes, each tribe is represented by Area Health Boards or when there is an area without an Area Health Board, a NIHB representative is chosen which communicates with the tribes of that area.
The mission of the NIHB is to advocate on behalf of all Tribal governments and American Indians/Alaska Natives in their efforts to provide quality health care. As part of this advocacy, we are committed to providing timely, factual, and valuable information on the Indian health care system to AI/AN, tribes, tribal governments and policy makers. This tribal resource center has been established to provide tribes with the resources and tools to effectively engage in fulfilling the mission of NIHB.
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July 29, 2010HHS Consultation on Strategic Plan
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.”
July 27, 2010
IHS Dear Tribal Leader Letter Provides Update on IHCIA
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
July 2, 2010
National Indian Health Board Submits Comments for IHCIA Implementation Consultation
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 Group, 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
White House Releases Tribal Progress Report
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.
Upcoming IHS Consultation CHS in DC Area
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
Tribal Budget Formulation Workgroup Meeting
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.
CDC Tribal Consultation Advisory Committee Meeting Scheduled
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 Seeks Tribal Input on Policy Development
May 26, 2010Senator 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.
HHS and IHS Announce Consultation on Health Laws
May 14, 2010The 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:
- Tribal Consultation Health Care Reform Fact Sheet
- Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Summary
- IHCIA Summary
Resolutions to Raise Awareness of Childhood Obesity
April 14, 2010Prior 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
Indian Health Service Office of Tribal Self-Governance Announced 2010 Planning and Negotiation Cooperative Agreements
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.
Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Announces the dates of Tribal Consultation Sessions
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.
Indian Health Service Update on Director’s Priorities
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.
Tribal Resources Inquiries:
Director of Government Relations
Jessica L. Burger, RN
Washington, DC 20003
Phone: 202-507-4079
Email: JBurger@nihb.org
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