NPAIHB Legislative and Policy Update

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Important Dates

Aug 3-4, 2021

PACHA 71^st Full Council Meeting

Aug 3-4, 2021 

Joint SAMHSA TTAC/IHS NTAC on Behavioral Health 

Aug 3-5, 2021 

Region 10 HHS Opioid Annual Virtual Summit 

Registration Link 

Aug 4-5, 2021 

CDC/ATSDR Tribal Advisory Committee Bi-Annual Meeting 

Aug 5, 2021 (12:15 PM Pacific)

CDC Tribal Consultation on Tribal Consultation Policy

Registration Link

Aug 6, 2021 (11:00 AM Pacific)

ISAC Meeting

Aug 9, 2021 (11:00 AM Pacific)

CHAP TAG Meeting

Aug 10, 2021 (11:00 AM Pacific)

CHAP Tribal Planning and Implementation Grant TA Webinar

Registration Link

Aug 11-12, 2021

STAC Tribal Federal Workgroup on Tribal Consultation

Aug 18, 2021 (1:00 PM Pacific)

TLDC Monthly Call

Aug 19, 2021 (12:00 PM Pacific)

DSTAC Monthly Meeting

Aug 24, 2021 (12:00 PM Pacific)

IHS Director’s Advisory Workgroup on Tribal Consultation

Aug 27, 2021 (10:00 AM Pacific)

IHS/BIA Tribal Consultation on 105(l) Leases

Registration Link

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. 

ACTION ALERTS

CDC Tribal Consultation on Tribal Consultation Policy. CDC will be conducting tribal consultation on Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 12:15-2:00 pm Pacific to receive input and guidance on improving the current CDC/ATSDR Tribal Consultation Policy. 

·     Registration Link for Tribal Consultation

·     Written testimony due September 7, 2021 by 2 pm Pacific to

[email protected]

·     Current CDC/ATSDR Tribal Consultation Policy

Legislative & Appropriations Updates

S.2493 / H.R. 4735 - Provider Relief Fund Extension Deadline Act – Bipartisan legislation introduced in the House and the Senate to extend the deadline for providers to expend Provider Relief Funds until at least December 31, 2021 or until the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, whichever is later. 

H.R. 3684 – Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – The Senate’s bipartisan bill proposal was finally released this week which includes, an historic investment in infrastructure—roads and bridges, rail, transit, ports, airports, water systems, and broadband. It also includes an additional $3.5 billion to the Indian Health Service for sanitation facilities. Senate Democrats expect to pass this bipartisan bill quickly. 

S.1046 – Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Act of 2021 – Bipartisan legislation that would expand access to substance use treatment in jails and prisons across the country, including tribal correctional facilities. Last week the Senate passed the legislation without amendment and by unanimous consent. 

House FY 2022 Appropriations Package Passes! – Last week, the House passed on a 219-208 vote, a package of seven (7) 2022 appropriations bills, including Interior and Environment (H.R. 4372) and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (H.R. 4502). The FY 2022 package includes a total of $8.1 billion for Indian Health Service (IHS), an increase of $1.8 billion above FY 2021 enacted level.  The Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education FY 2022 appropriations package includes: $27 million for CDC’s Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country program, $153 million for CDC’s Social Determinants of Health program, $75 million for SAMHSA’s Tribal Opioid Response program, and $119.3 million for the Minority AIDS Initiative. 

Administrative and Regulatory Updates

HHS Region 10 Tribal Consultation was held Jun 15-16, 2021. HHS Region 10 will be accepting written testimony until Friday, September 3, 2021.

·     Written Testimony may be submitted 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.

·     Registration Link for Tribal Consultation

·     Written comments are due September 13, 2021 to [email protected] and [email protected]

·     DTLL announcing tribal consultation

IHS Announces New Chief Medical Officer.  Dr. Loretta Christensen, MBA, MSJ, FACS, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation is the new Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Christensen previously served as the chief medical officer for the Navajo Area Indian Health Service from 2017-2021 and the chief medical officer at the Gallup Service Unit from 2014-2017.  

Health IT Modernization Project Update.  Last week, IHS posted the draft Statement of Objectives (SOO) to solicit information and sources for the Health IT Modernization Project. Dear Tribal Leader Letter will be forthcoming.

·     Link for the draft Statement of Objectives

·     Tribal comments are due Aug 31, 2021

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.

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