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Washington Report

An NIHB Publication

The Washington Report is an e-newsletter produced by the National Indian Health Board. Each issue contains a listing of current events on Capitol Hill, information on passed and upcoming legislation, Indian health policy analysis and action items.

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Elimination of the Tribal Non-Federal Share for Tribal Support Program at the ACF

On February 12, 2024, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) published its final rule that eliminates the non-federal share of program expenditures requirement for Tribal support programs, beginning October 1, 2024. Tribal comments on the requirement have raised concerns over the share’s impact on the ability of Tribal child support programs to grow due to the fiscal decisions it forces upon these programs to choose between committing funds to meeting this requirement or using those funds to serve Tribal families in need of support.

Eliminating the non-federal share promotes equity and honors Tribal sovereignty and the trust relationship between the federal government and Tribal nations, and it aligns with the Biden administration’s Executive Order on Reforming Federal Funding and Support for Tribal Nations to Better Embrace Our Trust Responsibilities and Promote the Next Era of Tribal Self-Determination, Executive Order 14112.

Tribal governments have substantially less funds and revenue-generating options than state governments, yet the needs are far greater in Tribal communities. Tribes continue to face health inequities and significant structural barriers that limit their opportunities, negatively impact their well-being and economic mobility, and contribute to their higher rates of poverty. Instead of forcing competition among program participants, this rule recognizes the need for collaboration to use both federal and Tribal funds efficiently and effectively to improve the economic and social well-being of Tribal children.

At the very least, this should move the needle and help put Tribes on more equal footing with state child support programs.

National Indian Health Board
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