December 6, 2021 | Issue 21-35 |
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Congress Returns to a Busy December |
Congress has a busy December schedule. Congress must still address the debt ceiling before mid-December. The White House issued a brief summary of the debt ceiling and what it means to the nation and individuals. If Congress does not raise the debt ceiling, then the United States may not be able to pay for its obligations which, according to the White House summary, may include programs such as Medicare or Social Security.
In addition to these other measures, Congressional leaders have signaled their intent to pass the Budget Reconciliation measure, the Build Back Better Act, which is intended to carry out the President’s domestic agenda relating to social programs, climate change, health care access, and taxation – by the end of the year. That measure has been passed by the House of Representatives and is pending in the Senate. |
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UPDATES FROM THE FEDERAL & STATE ADMINISTRATIONS |
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Upcoming Tribal Consultation from IHS on the Distribution of New Funding |
On November 22, the Indian Health Service (IHS) released a Dear Tribal Leader Letter on initiating Tribal consultation on the allocation of $210 million from the American Rescue Plan Act, $3.5 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and $2.35 billion already in the process of appropriation by the Build Back Better Act. These funds will be used to support a variety of needs including public health workforce activities, sanitation facility construction, behavioral health services and Tribal epidemiology centers. This Tribal consultation will take place on December 14, 2021, from 1PM to 3PM EST. To join the consultation click here. Written comments on the distribution of these funds are due December 23, 2021, and can be emailed to consultation@his.gov.
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CMS Webinar on the Marketplace and Tribal Sponsorship |
On December 16 from 1 to 2PM ET the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will be hosting a “Health Insurance Marketplace for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) and Tribal Sponsorship” webinar. This webinar will highlight specific policy changes from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) that has helped reduce health care costs, outreach and enrollment efforts, and has allowed for individuals or families to receive premium tax credits. The webinar will also include a presentation on “Enrollment of Tribal Citizens and Other Indian Health Service (IHS) Eligible Individuals in Health Insurance Coverage through a Marketplace, Including Use of Tribal Sponsorship” to better help AI/AN governments and leaders learn how to pay health insurance premiums for their members. Enrollment assisters and Certified Application Councilors can also attend this webinar to learn more about ARP and the changes that might impact health care coverage in their communities. To register for the event, click here. Even though AI/ANs can enroll in the Marketplace at any time, families with non-tribal individuals have until January 15, 2022 to apply.
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New Funding for Telehealth from HHS |
On November 23, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published an announcement on “$35 Million for Telehealth in the Title X Family Planning Program.” Title X funding is a federal grant program that provides family planning and other health preventative services to communities in need. Especially during the pandemic Title X programs have relied on telehealth to administer many of their services. Some Tribal communities use Title X funding and could be eligible. To see if your community is eligible and to learn more click here. This funding is being made available through the American Rescue Plan and aims to expand telehealth infrastructure and capacity to Title X family planning providers.
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American Rescue Plan Funds for Rural Providers |
On November 23, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released an announcement on the distribution of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to support rural providers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, $7.5 billion will be distributed to rural providers and suppliers who serve rural Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) and Medicare beneficiaries. This funding will be dispersed based on Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP claims for services between January 1, 2019 to September 30,2020. This funding may be beneficial for Tribal communities located in rural areas and are in dire need of addressing workforce challenges, reimbursing lost revenue and other COVID-19 related supplies and resources. To see if your Tribal community has received ARP funding in the past and will be eligible for this funding click here.
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Marketplace Open Enrollment is Now Open |
On November 1, individuals can preview 2022 health insurance plans through HealthCare.gov. The Marketplace Open Enrollment Period will run from November 1 to January 15. 2022 and is the perfect opportunity for individuals who are looking to change or update their health care coverage or for those who are interested in applying for health care coverage.
These changes may be helpful for American Indian and Alaska Native people who have families of mixed decent and who are interested in changing their health care plan or enrolling in a new plan. For additional assistance click here or visit your Indian Health Service, Tribal health clinic and Urban Indian facility and see your Tribal enrollment assister to help you through the application process. For an updated fact sheet click here.
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Medicare Open Enrollment is Now Open |
The Medicare Open Enrollment Period ends December 7, 2021. This period also includes updating and review your Medicare plan — it's worth at least checking to see if your current plan remains your best option for more information American Indian and Alaska Native individuals should talk to their Patient Benefit Coordinators and their Tribal enrollment assisters to make sure the Medicare plan, they sign up for does not affect the services they already receive at your local Indian Health Service (IHS) facility or Tribal health care facility.
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Additional Health Insurance Marketplace Enrollment Updates |
January 15 is the last day to sign up for health insurance through the Marketplace. December 15 is the last day to enroll and make your premium payment for the Marketplace and have an effective date of January 1, 2021. It is important for Tribal enrollment assisters and patient benefit coordinators to understand these changes meant to help more people enroll into health insurance. Other recent changes include a Partner Toolkit which is designed to provide access to partners to Marketplace outreach resources. For resources related to social media outreach click here. For graphics click here, and for talking points click here. For specific resources related to AI/ANs please click here. For Tribal outreach materials to help with educating individuals on the Marketplace, please go to the CMS Division of Tribal Affairs Outreach page here.
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Administration for Children and Families Seeking Nominations for Tribal Advisory Committee |
- Billings Alternate
- California Alternate
Vacancies will be filled on a rolling basis. Click here to learn more.
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Information Systems Advisory Committee |
· Billings: Primary and Alternate
· Great Plains: Primary and Alternate
· Nashville: Primary and Alternate
· Navajo: Primary and Alternate
· Phoenix: Primary and Alternate
· Tucson: Primary and Alternate
Vacancies will be filled on a rolling basis. Click here to learn more.
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Centers for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity Tribal Advisory Committee
The Office of Minority Health (OMH) is recruiting primary and alternate delegates for the Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity Tribal Advisory Committee (CIIHE TAC).
CIIHE will support efforts including education, service and policy development, and research related to advancing sustainable solutions to address health disparities and advance health equity among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) populations. As OMH moves forward with standing up the Center, the CIIHE TAC will play a role in helping to ensure OMH has Tribal input that is critical for the Center’s success and effectiveness.
OMH is seeking nominations for representatives from the following areas:
· Alaska Area
· Albuquerque Area
· Billings Area
· Great Plains Area
· Nashville Area
· Navajo Area
· Phoenix Area
· Portland Area
· Tucson Area
· National At-Large Members (4)
The deadline for nominations is January 7, 2022, at 11:59 PM EST.
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HRSA Seeking Nominations for Tribal Advisory Council
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is seeking nominations for their Tribal Advisory Council (TAC). Currently, the areas open for nomination include California, Great Plains, Phoenix, and Tucson Areas.
TAC Recruitment Information
- These individuals are required to be Tribal officials who have the authority within their Tribe to act on behalf of their communities and who represent the collective views of the Tribes in the area from which they were nominated. These individuals when nominated will serve a length of two years before new nominations will take place.
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Eligibility criteria for those interested in applying can be found here.
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Visit the NIHB COVID-19 Tribal Resource Center at:
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