Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board

Legislative and Policy Update

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Important Dates

Jul. 27-28, 2022

TTAG Meeting — virtual

Jul. 28, 2022 (10:00 AM Pacific)

House Natural Resources, Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the U.S.

Advanced Appropriations Hearing

YouTube Link

Jul. 28, 2022 (11:00 AM Pacific)

CDC TAC Meeting — virtual

Jul. 29, 2022 (11:00 AM Pacific)

ISAC Monthly Meeting

Jul. 31-Aug. 4, 2022

Self-Governance Communication and Education Tribal Consortium Annual Conference — Burlingame, CA

Registration

Aug. 3-4, 2022

24^th Bi-Annual CDC/ATSDR Tribal Advisory Committee Meeting — Tahlequah, OK

Registration

Aug. 8, 2022 (10:00 AM Pacific)

HHS and DOI ICWA Tribal Leader Briefing

Registration

Aug. 9, 2022 (8:30 AM)

DSTAC 4^th Quarter Meeting — Flagstaff, AZ (hybrid)

Registration

Aug. 10-11, 2022

DSTAC 17^th Annual National Meeting — Flagstaff, AZ (hybrid)

Registration

Aug. 16, 2022 (9:00 AM Pacific)

National Tribal Health Equity Summit

Registration

Aug. 17, 2022 (1:00 PM Pacific)

TLDC Bi-Monthly Call

Federal Health Agency and Congress Tracker (FHACT) An ongoing list of Dear Tribal Leader Letters, Federal agency actions, and legislation introduced in the 117th Congress related to health.

An ongoing tracker of COVID-19 direct and set-aside funding for Tribes. Updated as of Aug. 2, 2021.

Legislative Updates

House Natural Resources, Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the U.S. is hosting a hybrid hearing on H.R. 5549 (Indian Health Service Advance Appropriations Act) on Jul. 28, 2022 at 10:00 AM Pacific, in room 1324 Longworth House Office Building. The hearing will be streamed on YouTube HERE.

• Urge the Subcommittee for the Indigenous Peoples of the U.S. to support H.R. 5549;
• Tribal Template Letter Available Here

Tribal Consultation Updates

IHS Demonstration Authority Tribal Consultation. IHS have announced a consultation on how to evaluate health care facility construction demonstration project proposals. There is no live consultation scheduled.

• Written comments are due Aug. 5, 2022 to [email protected] with the subject line “Demonstration Authority Tribal Consultation”

Tribal Leader Briefing on the Indian Child Welfare Act. HHS and the Department of the Interior are hosting a Tribal Leader briefing on ICWA. This briefing is being held in order to continue supporting the work of ICWA and protecting children, families, and tribes. The briefing will include updates on social service programs, grants, and other actions in support of ICWA.

• Virtual briefing on Aug. 8, 2022 at 10:00 AM Pacific, Registration Link

HHS Region 10 Tribal Consultation Dear Tribal Leader Letter. HHS Region 10 will be hosting tribal consultation on Aug. 22-24, 2022. Both in-person and virtual attendance will be available. Consultation will be held in Portland, OR at Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland. One on one meetings will be held August 22.  

• To attend virtually, Zoom Registration Link
• Written Testimony is due to [email protected] by Sep. 2, 2022.

Administrative and Regulatory Updates

HHS Extends Public Health Emergency to Oct. 13, 2022. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra has extended the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency for another 90 days, effective Jul. 15, 2022. The Administration has committed to providing 60 days advance notice prior to ending the Public Health Emergency, which has yet to be provided. 

HHS Releases Guidance on Protecting Reproductive Healthcare. HHS has announced guideline clarifications for emergency medical care following President Biden’s Executive Order to protect access to reproductive healthcare. HHS has clarified that the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) protects providers when offering legally mandated life or health saving abortion services in emergency situations.

• Please view the official HHS announcement for more information.

HHS/OCR Guidance on HIPAA and Audio-Only Telehealth. HHS has released new guidance on health care providers using audio-only telehealth services. Providers are permitted to use audio-only telehealth as long as they are consistent with HIPAA requirements.

• For more information, please see the HHS Guidance on Audio-Only Telehealth.

IHS Seeks Input on Health Professions Scholarship Program. IHS is seeking input on identifying professions to include in the IHS Scholarship Program for academic year 2023-24 and loan repayment program FY 2023.

• Email priorities by Aug. 1, 2022 to Ms. Tara Johnston at [email protected]
• NPAIHB tribal template letter available here.

IHS Discussion on Health Information Technology (HIT) Modernization.  IHS is hosting 1-hour discussions about HIT Modernization in order to gain insight into current efforts, what is working, and other similar topics.

• If interested, email [email protected] with the subject line “ Health IT Modernization Discussion”

988 Suicide Help Line Goes Live. The 988 number reaching the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline went live nationally on Jul. 16, 2022. Downloadable and printable tools including posters and wallet cards are available via the 988 Partner Toolkit.

• SAMHSA is seeking to learn about the unique challenges and concerns that Tribes face, and are seeking feedback for the following questions
• Do you and your Tribal citizens have general awareness related to 988?
• What challenges and barriers do you foresee in terms of access to 988 and the broader crisis of continuum of care?
• What resources do you need to allow 988 to reach your Tribal citizens?
• Have states within your Tribal jurisdictions reached out for partnership and collaboration in the 988 implementation planning process?

Comments should be sent to the attention of CAPT Kari Hearod at [email protected]

• For more information, visit the SAMHSA website 988 page
• Coming to Indian Country: 988 and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Information.
• NPAIHB/THRIVE will be sending Social Media Materials to all 43 Tribes and are Available to Order HERE.

CDC Recommends Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine for Adults. The CDC announced on Jul. 19, 2022 that they recommend the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine as an option for primary series vaccine in adults. The Novavax vaccine will be available for administration in the coming weeks.

HRSA Provider Relief Funds Reporting Portal Open for Period 3.

• Just a reminder that the PRF Reporting Portal opened on July 1, 2022 and will remain open through Sep. 30, 2022 for Reporting Period 3.  

*Grace period ended on Nov. 30, 2021.

Litigation Updates

Brackeen Update – Call to Join Tribal Amicus Brief. The Supreme Court will be hearing the case of Brackeen v. Haaland this term, although the date has not yet been announced. The case involves challenges to ICWA, which have the potential to dismantle this long-standing law and affect the wellbeing of children, families, and tribes who are currently protected by it. NICWA and NARF are calling on Tribes and Tribal Organizations to join the Tribal Amicus Brief. The deadline to join this amicus brief is Aug. 9, 2022. 

• Tribes who wish to sign on to the Tribal Amicus Brief should contact Erin Dougherty Lynch, NARF at [email protected].

Dobbs Supreme Court Decision. The Supreme Court held on June 24, 2022 that states have the authority on whether or not to allow abortions and when, overturning Roe v. Wade (1973). This holding also impacts Tribal Health Programs, as there are a variety of additional factors in play such as state licensure being required for tribal healthcare providers.

• For more information, please see the memorandum from Hobbs, Straus, Dean and Walker.

Castro-Huerta Supreme Court Decision. The Supreme Court held on June 29, 2022 that states have concurrent jurisdiction over non-Indian crimes committed against Indians in Indian Country. This holding effectively rules that the foundational case Worcester v. Georgia (1832) is no longer controlling. The long-term effects of Castro-Huerta are uncertain at this time. 

• For more information, please see the memorandum from Hobbs, Straus, Dean and Walker.

For more information:

Laura Platero, Executive Director 

Liz Coronado, Senior Policy Advisor

Candice Jimenez, Health Policy Specialist

Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board | Website