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Posted on March 10, 2022
Congress Releases FY 2022 Omnibus Funding Bill
Released on March 9, 2022, Congress released its bipartisan, bicameral Omnibus Appropriations bill to fund the federal government for FY 2022. It includes funding for the Indian Health Service (IHS) and other important Indian programs.
Funding for the federal government, including the IHS, is set to expire on March 11, 2022. After a flurry of negotiations with the Senate, the House of Representatives released on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, a bill, S. Admnt. 4902 to H.R. 2471, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022. This bill is intended to fund the federal government through the end of fiscal year 2022, which ends on September 30, 2022.
This bill funds the IHS at $6.63 billion, approximately $400 million over the FY 2021 enacted level. Yet, this spending measure does not achieve the robust and bold funding levels required to address severe health disparities in Tribal communities and, instead, would essentially underserve American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) patients.
Read more.
Posted on March 10, 2022
HHS Annual Budget Consultation April 6-7, 2022
The 24th U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Virtual Annual Tribal Budget Consultation (ATBC) will be held on April 6 – 7, 2022. The ATBC will provide a forum for Tribes to collectively share their views and priorities with HHS leaders on national health and human services funding priorities and make recommendations for the Department’s FY 2024 budget request. The consultation is intended to provide a venue for a two-way conversation between Tribal leaders and HHS officials on program issues and concerns that will lead to recommendations for action. See the Dear Tribal Leader Letter.
Register for the 24th Annual Tribal Budget Consultation HERE.
Posted on March 08, 2022
The National Indian Health Board, Tribes, Organizations, and Friends of Indian Health Worked Together in Joint Letters to Congress
On March 3, 2022 the National Indian Health Board along with 72 Tribes, Organizations, and friends of Indian health that represent well over 1 million American Indian, Alaska Natives, and friends of Indian health joined to urge Congress to include advance appropriations and request no less than the House of Representatives passed level of $8.114 billion for FY 2022 funding for Indian health care. The letters were sent to the following House of Representatives and Senate Committees:
The current continuing resolution expires on this Friday, March 11, 2022. Congress is negotiating and finalizing an omnibus appropriations bill to fund the federal government through the end of FY2022 which ends on September 30, 2022. If passed, that level of funding would be an increase of $1.884 billion over the FY2021 enacted level and Indian health programs would be protected against the harmful impacts of continuing resolutions (temporary funding measures) and government shutdowns.
Posted on February 22, 2022
The Indian Health Service Releases a Dear Tribal Leader Letter In Response to the Cook Inlet Decision
On February 17, 2022 the Indian Health Service released a ‘Dear Tribal Leader’ letter to clarify its contract support costs policy and position in response to the Cook Inlet Tribal Council v. Dotomain decision.
The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) sent letters to Congress on February 4, 2022, urging adoption of an amendment to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to correct the Cook Inlet Tribal Council v. Dotomain decision. The Cook Inlet Court wrongly interpreted what costs could qualify for contract support costs. These letters are also in response to the NIHB Board of Directors’ action on January 24, 2022, which approved supporting such a legislative fix. The letters were sent to the following House of Representatives and Senate Committees:
Read the full news article on the Cook Inlet Decision in the Washington Report.
Posted on February 18, 2022
A Solemn Milestone for Indian Country: More than 10,000 COVID-19 Deaths
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of COVID-19 related deaths for the American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) reached 10,259 as of February 5, 2022. This somber statistic is a reminder of how devastating COVID-19 has been for Tribal nations. We mourn the loss of our family members, friends, neighbors, and Tribal citizens due to COVID-19.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, it is important that Tribal citizens remain vigilant. The best tool to prevent the worst outcomes from the virus is getting your vaccine and booster. The CDC data reinforces the importance of the vaccine and booster.
Visit the National Indian Health Board’s COVID-19 Tribal Resource Center for more information on how to stop the spread of COVID-19 in your community.
Learn More.
Posted on 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 on 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 on 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.
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