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Posted on November 30, 2022
NIHB and Allies Call on the United States to Enact Advance Appropriations for the Indian Health Service
WASHINGTON, DC – November 30, 2022 – Today, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), in partnership with 120+ Tribal nations, organizations, and friends of Indian health, sent letters to the President and Congressional leadership requesting that they support and include no less than the House-passed level of $8.121 billion for the Indian Health Service (IHS) for FY 2023 and advance appropriations for FY 2024.
“IHS is the only federal healthcare system vulnerable to government shutdowns, and that’s just not right,” remarked Chief William Smith, NIHB Chairman and Alaska Area Representative. “A simple fix is already on the table to give the IHS the same advance budget certainty that Veterans healthcare has benefited from for over ten years. It’s time to stop putting American Indian and Alaska Native lives at stake. It’s time for the President and Members of Congress to step up, do the right thing, and get it done. Native lives can’t wait.”
Read more.
Posted on November 25, 2022
Agenda Available - Tribal Briefing for White House Tribal Nations Summit
The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) and National Congress of American Indians will hold a briefing for Tribal Leaders and their technical advisors on Tuesday, November 29, from 1:30 PM – 5 PM at the Capital Hilton in Washington, DC. The purpose of this briefing is to prepare for the White House Tribal Nations Summit.
President Biden is hosting the White House Tribal Nations Summit (linked) on November 30 - December 1, 2022 at the US Department of the Interior in Washington, DC. The Summit is an opportunity for the President and senior leaders from his Administration to meet with Tribal Leaders and engage in robust and meaningful Nation-to-Nation dialogue on key issues, policy initiatives, and goals for Indian Country. The deadline to register for the 2022 White House Tribal Nations Summit is Monday, November 14th, 2022. Tribal leaders may register using this link. Due to limited capacity, the White House has stated it can only accommodate one governmental representative per Tribal Nation. Questions for the White House can be directed to: [email protected]. The agenda for the White House Tribal Nations Summit is available here.
The preparatory briefing hosted by the National Indian Health Board and National Congress of American Indians will focus on engagement with federal partners.
Please note this briefing is considered a Tribal caucus and is not open to federal officials or the media. This briefing is only in-person in Washington, DC, no virtual option.
Tribal Briefing Details:
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
1:30 PM - 5 PM
Capital Hilton, Congressional Room
1001 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
Learn More and Register. The agenda for the Tribal Preparatory Briefing is available here.
Posted on November 17, 2022
NIHB Letter of Support to Seat Cherokee Nation Delegate-Designee Kim Teehee
On Thursday November 17, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) sent a letter of support to the House Speaker Pelosi. Standing with the Cherokee Nation, NIHB supports Designee-Delegate Ms. Kim Teehee to be seated in the House of Representatives during the 117th Congress.
The 1738 Treaty of New Hopewell and the 1835 Treaty of New Echota both guarantee the right for Cherokee Nation to send a Tribal representative to the U.S House of Representatives. The Cherokee Nation exchanged millions of acres of land for the agreements and promises in the treaties delegated between the Cherokee Nation and the United States. It is now time for the United States to honor the trust responsibility and treaty obligations.
The promise remains unfulfilled and remains as binding as it was over 200 years ago.
To view the letter, click here. For more information, visit Cherokee Nation's website here.
Posted on November 17, 2022
DEADLINE EXTENDED: Sign on to Letter Supporting Indian Health Service Advance Appropriations
The National Indian Health Board and a coalition of Tribes, Tribal organizations, and other partners are working with Congress and the Administration to include fiscal year (FY) 2024 advance appropriations for the Indian Health Service (IHS) in any final agreement on the FY 2023 appropriation bills.
The fix is simple but motivating Congress to act is not. No other issue under consideration in the remainder of the 117th Congress has as much of a direct benefit on American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) lives, has as much bipartisan support, and is as close to enactment as advance appropriations for the Indian Health Service.
To succeed, it requires a coordinated effort from Tribes, advocacy organizations, the public, members of Congress, and the White House. Please join NIHB in sending Tribal coalition letters to Congressional Leadership and the White House.
To read the full Washington Report on Indian Health Service Advance Appropriations, visit the Washington Report archive or click here for the whole issue.
Click HERE to sign onto the letters. The new deadline is Tuesday, November 22nd.
For more information on this topic, please visit NIHB’s Advance Appropriations webpage or contact Darren Benjamin, Interim Director of Congressional Relations, at [email protected]
Posted on November 08, 2022
Sign on to Letters Supporting Indian Health Service Advance Appropriations
The National Indian Health Board and a coalition of Tribes, Tribal organizations, and other partners are working with Congress and the Administration to include fiscal year (FY) 2024 advance appropriations for the Indian Health Service (IHS) in any final agreement on the FY 2023 appropriation bills.
The fix is simple but motivating Congress to act is not. No other issue under consideration in the remainder of the 117th Congress has as much of a direct benefit on American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) lives, has as much bipartisan support, and is as close to enactment as advance appropriations for the Indian Health Service.
To succeed, it requires a coordinated effort from Tribes, advocacy organizations, the public, members of Congress, and the White House. Please join NIHB in sending Tribal coalition letters to Congressional Leadership and the White House.
To read the full Washington Report on Indian Health Service Advance Appropriations, visit the Washington Report archive or click here for the whole issue.
Click HERE to sign onto the letters.
For more information on this topic, please visit NIHB’s Advance Appropriations webpage or contact Darren Benjamin, Interim Director of Congressional Relations, at [email protected]
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