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We are seeking qualified candidates for the following open positions based in Washington DC
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Posted January 27, 2022
Request for Proposals Open for National Indian Health Board Policy Center Podcast Project
NIHB is seeking to secure the services of a communications consultant or firm to produce the NIHB Policy Center's is six-episode podcast series on Medicare and Medicaid issues. Each episode will discuss a facet of Medicare and Medicaid policy and will feature a guest that can further elaborate on how these policies have impacted their Tribal community. The scope of work includes development, production, technical assistance with recording, editing and posting, and content development in coordination with NIHB staff. This work will occur between February 23 and March 23, 2022. Proposals are due February 9, 2022 at 11:59 PM ET.
Read the full Request for Proposals
Posted January 25, 2022
IHS Acting Deputy Director Urges Indian Country to Order Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests
The Indian Health Service (IHS) Acting Deputy Director, Elizabeth Fowler sent a message urging Indian Country to order their one set of four FREE at-home COVID-19 testing kits at: https://www.covidtests.gov/ from the US Postal Service (USPS) is now delivering
To order, you only need to provide your name and residential mailing address. No ID, credit card, or health insurance information is required. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days.
If you have difficulty accessing the internet or need additional support placing an order, you can call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY: 1-888-720-7489) to get help in English, Spanish, and more than 150 other languages – from 8:00 am to midnight ET, seven days a week.
The website also provides important information about the at-home test, other valuable testing resources, and the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for isolation and self-testing. There is also a Frequently Asked Questions section to answer many of the common questions regarding the at-home test kits, including any issues related to residential addresses with multiple units or multi-family living arrangements.
To order your at-home testing kit from the US Postal Service (USPS):
Step 1: Visit https://special.usps.com/testkits
Step 2: Fill out your contact information, including first and last name. You may also give your email address if you wish to receive shipping notifications. and email if you wish to receive shipping notifications.
Step 3: Enter your shipping address or PO Box.
Step 4: Check out!
Posted January 20, 2022
Special Message for Indian Country: COVID-19 Vaccines for Native Youth
As experts agree and data has shown, getting a COVID-19 vaccine is the most effective defense strategy we have against the virus. Longstanding inequalities fueled by federal policies have helped fuel COVID-19 spread in Native American communities. As of January 14, 2022, nearly 8.5 million children have tested positive for COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic. COVID cases among children are extremely high: nearly 580,000 child cases were added the past week, an increase of nearly 78% over the last two weeks.
According to data from January 14, 2022, nearly 1.4 million eligible AI/ANs ages 12 and older have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and over 1.6 million have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, but, as suggested by recent data, COVID-19 vaccine coverage is the lowest among 12-15-year-olds. We’re all hopeful that the end of this pandemic comes to us sooner rather than later, but until then, we still need to be diligent in protecting ourselves and others from COVID-19. It is important to continue to show your Acts of Love to your community by wearing a mask, washing your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water (or using hand sanitizer), getting your COVID-19 vaccine if you haven’t yet, staying physically distanced, and getting tested for COVID-19. There are several in-person and home testing options available to Tribal members across the country.
Read more
Posted January 13, 2022
NIHB Urges More Action on Telehealth and Health IT for Tribes
On January 12, 2022, Chairman of the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) and Vice President of the Valdez Native Tribe, joined Tribal leaders and other officials in pushing for more action on broadband deployment, including telehealth and health IT for Tribal nations, at the Roundtable hosted by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. Committee Chairman Senator Schatz led this Roundtable titled "Closing the Digital Divide in Native Communities through Infrastructure Investment," which brought together Tribal leaders, officials, and experts who engaged in a spirited discussion on broadband needs and deployment in Indian Country.
Read the full press release
Posted January 13, 2022
NIHB's Support for the Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2022
The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) applauds House Representatives Greg Stanton (AZ-9) and Dave Joyce (OH-14) for championing a long-standing priority for Indian Country and introducing "Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2022" today. This bill will elevate the Indian Health Service (IHS) Director to an Assistant Secretary for Indian Health in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). NIHB and Tribal nations have long advocated for this change for Indian health priority and leadership. The bill also aligns the authority of the IHS leadership with that of sister agencies within the DHHS.
Read the full press release
Posted January 12, 2022
NIHB’s Chief William Smith Speaking at the Indian Affairs Roundtable on Broadband Infrastructure in Native Communities
On Wednesday, January 12 at 2:30 PM ET, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, will lead the "Closing the Digital Divide in Native Communities through Infrastructure Investment," roundtable discussion.
Chief William "Bill" Smith, Chairman of the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) and Vice President of the Valdez Native Tribe, is one the Tribal leaders Chairman Schatz and the committee will hear from. The roundtable discussion will focus on how the strong federal investment in broadband infrastructure is attempting to bridge the digital divide in Native communities and what more Congress can do to get Native communities connected.
Access the livestream
Posted January 12, 2022
NIHB Advocates for Transparency in COVID-19 Funding
On January 5, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) sent a letter to the Indian Health Service (IHS) detailing a request to publish an area-by-area report on COVID-19 Supplemental Funding. This report would include all of the supplemental funding distributed to IHS, Tribes, and Tribal Organizations since the start of 2020. This report would be used to provide transparency to Indian Country on who received the funds and how those entities spent the money. In addition, this report would also aid Tribal communities in what measures need to be taken to address their current needs throughout the continuation of the public health emergency and whether there is a direct parallel between COVID-19 mitigation efforts and funding distribution.
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