Posted on March 12, 2024
On March 6, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a notable alert regarding specific cinnamon products due to the discovery of heightened levels of lead, a heavy metal known for its toxic properties. The announcement sent ripples through both consumer and regulatory circles, emphasizing the critical importance of monitoring food safety standards.Â
Posted on March 11, 2024
Over the weekend, Congress passed a minibus budget package, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 (H.R. 4366), for six appropriations bills, including the Indian Health Service (IHS) budget. The IHS FY 2024 budget is essentially flat funded at the FY 2023 funding level which will generally be carried forward to FY 2025 in advance appropriations. The Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) received both a short reauthorization to December 31, 2024, and a modest increase to an annualized $160 million level. SDPI had been funded at $150 million per year since FY 2004.
Posted on February 29, 2024
On February 2, 2024, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), adopted a final rule that updates regulations related to Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) accreditation, certification, and standards for the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) with Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) in OTPs.
Posted on February 29, 2024
Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS-03), a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation in Wisconsin, and Tom Cole (R-OK-04), a member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, reintroduced the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2024 (HR 7227) to establish a Truth and Healing Commission to investigate, document, and report on the histories of Indian boarding schools, Indian boarding school policies, and long-term impacts on Native Communities.
The proposed legislation would:
Establish a formal commission to investigate, document, and acknowledge past injustices of the federal government’s Indian Boarding School Policies.
This includes attempts to terminate Native cultures, religions, and languages; assimilation practices; and human rights violations.
Develop recommendations for federal entities to aid in healing the historical and intergenerational trauma passed down in Native families and communities.
Provide a forum for victims to speak about personal experiences tied to these human rights violations.
Posted on February 28, 2024
The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) held its Executive Council Winter Session (ECWS) in Washington, DC on the week of February 12, 2024. As part of the activities organized for the ECWS, NCAI, NIHB, and other Tribal partners organized hill visits to support Tribal Leaders to meet with Congressional Leaders on issues impacting Indian Country. The NIHB, NCAI, and the National Council on Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) lead two groups of Tribal Leaders to speak on critical health priorities to advance during the remaining 118th Congress.
National Indian Health Board