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We are seeking qualified candidates for the following open positions based in Washington DC
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Posted September 22, 2021
NIHB Board Chair Testifies Before House Veterans Affairs Committee
On Wednesday September 22, the House Veterans Affairs Committee hosted a full committee hearing titled, "Veteran Suicide Prevention: Innovative Research and Expanded Public Health Efforts." The National Indian Health Board's (NIHB) Board of Directors Chairman and Alaska Area Representative Chief William Smith testified as a witness before the full committee.
Click here to read NIHB's written testimony of record. Click here to view the livestream recording of the hearing.
Posted September 21, 2021
NIHB Request for Proposals for Website Redesign
The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is seeking proposals to update and redesign the NIHB website. It houses a wide array of information, and is accessed by different constituents for different purposes. The site's audiences include: elected Tribal officials, Tribal health administrators and practitioners, Tribal public health professionals, legal and policy specialists, governmental agencies, social justice advocates, The site houses information and resources on different advocacy and legislative topics, an organization-produced newsfeed and alerts, knowledge products, social marketing materials, conference materials, and a series of pages for many different public heath topical areas. The deadline for proposals is October 29, 2021.
Read the Request for Proposals
Posted September 15, 2021
NIHB Announces Extension of Early Bird Registration for Upcoming National Tribal Health Conference
It's not too late to register for the National Indian Health Board's (NIHB) annual National Tribal Health Conference (NTHC) that will take place October 4-8, 2021. The Early Bird rate has been extended through September 21!
Join NIHB for action-packed plenary sessions, informative workshops from experts across Indian Country, and consultation and listening sessions with federal agencies. Make sure to stick around for the last day of the conference for sessions dedicated to technology in American Indian and Alaska Native health systems!
Read More and View the Agenda
Posted September 9, 2021
HHS with HRSA released a Dear Tribal Leader Letter on HRSA’s Annual Tribal Consultation
On September 10, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in collaboration with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released a Dear Tribal Leader Letter (DTLL) on HRSA’s Annual Tribal Consultation. The consultation will be held virtually during the National Indian Health Board’s (NIHB) 2021 National Tribal Health Conference (NTHC) on October 8, 2021, from 11:00AM to 1:00PM ET. The consultation will highlight Health Center Program’s Uniform Data System and the scoring of Health Professional Shortage Areas.
To register for the consultation, click here and register for the no-cost ticket (those participating in the full conference with a paid registration will also have access to this consultation): Click Here (registration for the consultation session is free)
Posted September 9, 2021
OMB to Hold Tribal Consultation on Mandatory Appropriations
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), within the White House, will hold a Tribal consultation to seek input on the development of the President's Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Budget.
This Tribal consultation on the President's FY 2023 Budget will be held via teleconference on Thursday, September 23, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET. Register for the Webinar
OMB welcomes written comments as well. Please send them to [email protected] by no later than October 4, 2021
Read the Dear Tribal Leader Letter.
Posted September 9, 2021
Joint Letter to HHS on Mandatory Appropriations for IHS
On September 3rd, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) and seven other partner organizations responded to the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Dear Tribal Leader Letter on Mandatory Appropriations. In this letter, we ask for a comprehensive, Tribally driven study in order to determine the full need of the Indian health system. NIHB also voices support for making costs associated with Contract Support Costs and Section 105(l) leases mandatory as soon as possible. Securing mandatory appropriations for the Indian Health Service has been a long-standing priority for NIHB and we will continue to work on this issue.
Read the Joint Letter.
Posted August 30, 2021
NIHB Letter to CDC/ATSDR on Tribal Consultation Policy
On August 30, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) sent a letter to the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) on the CDC/ATSDR Tribal Consultation Policy. The letter details the need for CDC/ATSDR to update its consultation policy to include increased accountability, the acknowledgement of honoring the Tribe's right to request consultation at any time, and the establishment of continuous opportunities for meaningful engagement in policies that effect American Indian and Alaska Native people. In the letter, NIHB provided several suggestions to improve the CDC/ATSDR Tribal Consultation Policy. As CDC/ATSDR reviews the comments on its Tribal Consultation Policy, NIHB will keep Tribes informed regarding the implementation of these and other recommendations brought forth by Tribes and Tribal Organizations.
Posted August 27, 2021
Special Message for Indian Country:
Recommendations for Tribal Communities to Continue to Stay Safe from COVID-19
There has been a flurry of COVID-19 updates in recent weeks, but this one is essential. The highly contagious Delta variant continues to surge, and we must keep the Nation's Tribes and communities safe, healthy, and protected. Please consider the following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Indian Health Board (NIHB) recommendations and resources to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
The Delta variant's impact continues to unfold, and with it, Tribal policies change, and mandatory mask-mandates are re-emerging, NIHB's Act of Love vaccination and safe practices campaign can help. According to the CDC, a layered approach is the best way to reduce your risk of catching and spreading COVID-19.
Read more.
Posted August 27, 2021
NIHB Tribal Town Hall leads surge on Capitol Hill
The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) held a Tribal Town Hall on Thursday, August 26, 2021 to call Tribes to action in seeking funding in the Budget Reconciliation for Indian health programs.
Chief William Smith, Chairman of the National Indian Health Board, urged Tribal nations to be "diligent and relentless." "It will be a fight and hard work ahead of us, but our people deserve nothing less."
He was joined by Lummi Nation Councilmember, Nickolaus Lewis, Vice Chairperson of the National Indian Health Board, who echoed these words when he stated "[t]his fight for Indian health care is critical. We must get the attention of Congress and the White House to protect our health care and make a difference for our people."
Staff presentations showed the disparity in Indian health care facility funding. The presentations also demonstrated that if health care facilities (and related expenses such as equipment, Electronic Health Records (EHR), and health IT) are not fully funded in this Budget Reconciliation, then Tribal nations must rely on current appropriations.
According to the Indian Health Service, at the existing replacement rate, a new facility on the IHS facility priority list would not be replaced for 400 years. Tribes must reach out to their Congressional Members immediately to seek more funding for Indian health care, particularly facilities and related expenses.
Tribes need to act now to ensure Indian health funding is secured. Encourage your Congressional delegation to consider priorities for Indian Country, by contacting them by phone or email.
Posted August 23, 2021
Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Fully Approved by FDA for Ages 16 and Older
On Monday, August 23, 2021, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, now known as Comirnaty, is the first COVID-19 vaccine to receive full approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), replacing its emergency use authorization (EUA) for all Americans over the age of 16 years including American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs). The Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccine continues to be available under EUA for Native youth ages 12-15 years and certain immunocompromised persons who are receiving a third dose.
Read NIHB's Special News alert to learn more.
Posted August 20, 2021
HHS Announces COVID-19 Booster Shots for the American People
On Wednesday, August 18, 2021, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a joint statement from public health and medical experts on the Biden Administration's plan for COVID-19 booster shots for the American people. Pending the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations, the Biden Administration announced that the third vaccine shot will be available as early as September 20. On August 12, 2021 the FDA announced that a third vaccine dose is recommended for immunocompromised individuals effective immediately. Many Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities are presently updating or creating internal policies to administer the shot and contact their immunocompromised patients. Community Health Representatives and public health nurses will work to provide shots to patients who are homebound, disabled, or lack transportation. Tribal health systems are also reaching out to immunocompromised patients and planning vaccination events for boosters.
Read more.
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