Leg_Policy_Header.png

NPAIHB Legislative and Policy Update

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Important Dates

Aug 18, 2021 (1:00 PM Pacific)

TLDC Monthly Call


Aug 19, 2021 (12:00 PM Pacific)

DSTAC Monthly Meeting


Aug 24, 2021 (9:00 AM Pacific)

National Tribal Budget Formulation Workgroup Virtual Meeting


Aug 24, 2021 (12:00 PM Pacific)

IHS Director’s Advisory Workgroup on Tribal Consultation


Aug. 25, 2021 (10:00 AM Pacific)

HHS Tribal Consultation on Mandatory Funding for IHS

Zoom Link


Aug 25, 2021 (10:00 AM Pacific)  

CHAP TAG Monthly Meeting 

 

Aug 25, 2021 (11:00 AM Pacific) 

CDC/ATSDR TAC Monthly Meeting 

 

Aug 27, 2021 (10:00 AM Pacific)

IHS/BIA Tribal Consultation on 105(l) Leases

Registration Link


Aug 30-31, 2021

STAC Meeting


Sep 1, 2021 (10:00 AM Pacific)

HHS Tribal Consultation on Mandatory Funding for IHS

Zoom Link


Sep 1, 2021 (11:00 AM Pacific) 

MMPC Monthly Meeting 

Visit our FHACT Tracker

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.

COVID-19 Funding Tracker

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


Legislative Updates

FY 2022 Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 14) — A $3.5 Trillion Domestic Spending Plan Passes in the SenateThis spending plan will address priorities such as climate change, the tax code, health care, immigration, and education. The budget resolution gives broad instructions to 12 Senate Committees, including the Committee on Indian Affairs. Indian Affairs’ budget recommendations are due September 15 and could address IHS health programs and facilities.

 

Senate Passes Historic $1.2 Trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Package. With a 69 to 30 vote, the Senate approved of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that includes $550 billion in new spending to address transportation, water, sanitation, energy, broadband, and climate crisis. The bill includes $3.5 billion for improvements to Indian Health Service sanitation facilities, allows Urban Indian Organizations to use their line item to fund facility improvements, and $2 billion for tribal broadband.  Approval by the House is uncertain at this time.

Administrative and Regulatory Updates

HHS Announces Tribal Consultation on Mandatory FundingHHS is seeking input on mandatory funding approaches for the Indian Health Service and will be hosting consultation on Aug. 25, 2021 at 10:00 am Pacific and Sep. 1, 2021 at 11:00 am Pacific.


HHS Region 10 Tribal Consultation was held Jun 15-16, 2021. HHS Region 10 written testimony is due Friday, September 3, 2021 to [email protected].

 

105(l) Leases Tribal Consultation. IHS and BIA will be conducting tribal consultation on 105(l) lease requirements and payments on Friday, August 27, 2021 at 10-1:00 pm Pacific.

 

Health IT Modernization Project Update.  On July 27, 2021, IHS posted the draft Statement of Objectives (SOO) to solicit information and sources for the Health IT Modernization Project. Yesterday IHS released a Dear Tribal Leader Letter on the request for tribal comment on the draft SOO. 

 

Not Invisible Act Joint Commission on Reducing Violent Crime Against Indians The Bureau of Indian Affairs is soliciting nominations from Tribes to serve on the Joint Commission to develop recommendations to the Secretary and Attorney General on actions the federal government can take to increase intergovernmental coordination to identify and combat violent crime in Indian Country.

 

CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is scheduled to meet Friday, Aug. 19, 2021 to vote on whether COVID-19 vaccination booster shots are needed.   

 

CDC Issues Eviction Moratorium Order in Areas of Substantial and High Transmission of COVID-19 & Rental Assistance via Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The CDC issued a new eviction moratorium on Aug. 3, 2021. This order will expire on Oct. 3, 2021 and applies in counties experiencing substantial and high levels of community transmission levels of SARS-CoV-2. The eviction moratorium allows additional time for rent relief to reach renters and to further increase vaccination rates.

  • State and local organizations, including Tribal communities are distributing federal rental assistance in their communities – assistance can cover rent, utilities, and other housing costs to keep people in their homes.
  • Link to find help with rent and utilities

 

CDC Tribal Consultation on Tribal Consultation Policy CDC conducted tribal consultation on August 5, 2021 to receive input and guidance on improving the current CDC/ATSDR Tribal Consultation Policy. 


Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule.  CMS released a proposed rule on Jul 23, 2021 that expands certain telehealth services currently allowed during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, includes Part B payment issues, solicits comments on tribal FQHC payments and vaccine administration, and proposes other Medicare payment policy changes. 

  • Comments are due Sep 13, 2021.

 

Medicare Proposed Rule on Home Health Value Based Purchasing. Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published on Jul 7, 2021 that expands the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing Model to all 50 states (currently a demonstration project in nine states, including Washington). The NPRM also modifies the Home Health Quality Reporting Program, updates home health and home infusion payment rates, and makes permanent specific regulatory blanket waivers implemented during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

  • Comments are due by Aug 27, 2021.

 

Establishing Office of Minority Health Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC). HHS issued a DTLL to seek tribal input on establishing a TAC to advise the Office of Minority Health on the structure and function of the Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity. Tribal consultation was held during the 2021 HHS Regional Tribal Consultation Meetings.

  • Written comments due Aug 20, 2021.


U.S. Department of Justice Office of Violence Against Women 16th Annual Government-to-Government Tribal Consultation being held Tuesday, Aug. 17 thru Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 from 10am to 2 pm Pacific each day. Written comments due on Sep 20, 2021.

For more information Laura Platero, Executive Director

Lisa L. Griggs, Executive and Program Ops Assistant | Candice Jimenez, Health Policy Specialist | Liz Coronado, Health Policy Specialist

Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board npaihb.org