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NPAIHB Legislative and Policy Update
Thursday, September 30, 2021
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Oct 4-8, 2021
NIHB Annual National Tribal Health Conference
Registration Link
Oct 6, 2021 (10:00 AM Pacific)
Tentative STAC Federal Workgroup on HHS Tribal Consultation Policy Meeting
Oct 8, 2021 (8:00 AM Pacific)
HRSA Annual Tribal Consultation during NIHB National Tribal Health Conference
Registration Link
Oct 11-14 2021
NCAI 78th Annual Convention
Registration Link
Oct 13, 2021 (10:00 AM Pacific)
Tentative STAC Federal Workgroup on HHS Tribal Consultation Policy Meeting
Oct 18-21, 2021
NPAIHB THD and Quarterly Board Meeting
Oct 18, 2021 (11:00 AM Pacific)
HHS ASPR Tribal Consultation Session: Access to Supplies from Federal Partners
Registration Link
Oct 20, 2021 (10:00 AM Pacific)
MMPC Meeting
Oct 20, 2021 (11:00 AM Pacific)
HHS ASPR Tribal Consultation Session: Access to Supplies from Federal Partners
Registration Link
Oct 20-21, 2021
IHS PRC Workgroup Meeting
Oct 21, 2021
DSTAC 1st Quarter Meeting
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Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Tribal Consultation on FY 2023 President’s Budget. Written comments are due to OMB on Monday, October 4, 2021 on highest priority programs and activities for investment in FY 2023 budget, treatment of proposed program and activity funds in Budget Reconciliation and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, technical assistance needs, options for mandatory funding for the Indian Health Service, and barriers to improvement of water infrastructure.
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Legislation and Appropriations Updates | |
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Continuing Resolution FY 2022 – The Senate and the House have passed a continuing resolution to keep the federal government open through early December. The Senate removed the provision to suspend the cap on federal debt through December 2022, and the House has concurred.
$1.2 Trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Package. In August, the Senate approved of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that includes funding 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. The House is expected to vote on this package on Thursday.
FY 2022 Budget Reconciliation. House Natural Resources Committee has provided their markup which includes $3.5 billion for the Indian Health Service, including $2 billion for facility construction, $40 million for inpatient and community health facilities design and construction, and $60 million for small ambulatory program. The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs has not released their recommendations on their $20.5 billion instructions to address tribal programs. NPAIHB has prepared a tribal template letter for our Northwest senators urging their support for critical investments in the Indian health system.
(Health) S. 2779—TRIUMPH ACT (9/21/2021): A bill to provide for the establishment of a Task Force on Maternal Mental Health, and for other purposes. U.S. Senators Tillis (R-NC) and Hassan (D-NH) introduced bipartisan legislation to improve maternal mental health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum patients, including working to address postpartum depression and anxiety, and maternal suicide – which is a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity in the United States.
(Veterans) H.R. 5346 – EARN Act (9/23/2021): A bill to provide for the direct certification and enrollment of households of active members of the Armed Forces of the United States in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and for other purposes. Congressman Bishop. (GA-02) and Congressman Fortenberry (NE-01), a bipartisan Equal Access to the Right Nutrition for Military Families Act (EARN Act). The EARN Act addresses food insecurity experienced by military families by increasing access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for military families during service and in transition to civilian life.
Additionally, in upcoming floor action this week:
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The House may consider a vote on H.R. 2119, or the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2021. The bill includes strengthening the capacity of Tribes to exercise sovereign authority to respond to domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence committed against Indians; maintaining a national domestic violence, dating violence, and family violence hotlines, including a national Indian domestic violence hotline authorized for appropriations at $4M for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 to carry out the program.
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Administrative and Regulatory Updates | |
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National Indian Health Board (NIHB) will be holding its National Tribal Health conference on October 4-8, 2021. As a part of the conference, they will be hosting several Listening Sessions and Tribal Consultation, as follows:
- Indian Health Service Listening Session | Oct 4, 2021, 8:00 - 9:30 AM PT
- Veterans Administration Listening Session | Oct 4, 2021, 10:00 - 11:00 AM PT
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Listening Session | Oct 4, 2021, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM PT
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Listening Session | Oct 6, 2021, 8:00 - 9:00 AM PT
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Listening Session | Oct 7, 2021, 8:00 - 9:00 AM PT
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Health Resources and Services Administration Tribal Consultation | Oct 8, 2021, 8:00 – 9:00 AM PT | Dear Tribal Leader Letter
HRSA Annual Tribal Consultation. HRSA announced their annual tribal consultation will be held in conjunction with the National Indian Health Board’s National Tribal Health Conference on Oct. 8, 2021 at 8am Pacific.
HHS Consultation on Access to Supplies from Federal Partners. The HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) announced tribal consultation on Oct. 18 from 11-1pm Pacific and Oct. 20 from 11-1pm Pacific. The consultation is intended to gather input and recommendations to facilitate access by Tribes, tribal health programs, IHS providers, and urban Indian organizations to medical countermeasures and supplies needed in a public health emergency.
White House Tribal Leaders Summit. The White House will be hosting this Summit the week of November 8, 2021. This Summit will allow Tribal Leaders and officials from the highest levels of the Administration to engage in robust and meaningful dialogue.
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Register by Oct. 22, 2021 HERE.
Nation to Nation Dialogue on COVID-19. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a virtual, two-day Nation-to-Nation dialogue to share input, recommendations, and perspectives on how federal resources and assistance can best support Tribes’ response to public health emergencies and improve health systems.
Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Tribal Consultation(s) on Tribal Consultation Policy and Office of Head Start (OHS). ACF has announced their annual tribal consultation on November 4, 2021. ACF is seeking tribal leader input for additional agenda items for the consultation session. Other agenda items include input on ACF Tribal Consultation Policy, self-governance and improving cultural adaptations that come from Tribal input for ACF portions of the Family First Prevention Services Act.
Updated Indian Health Service (IHS) Tribal Consultation Sessions on Designating Arizona as a Purchased/Referred Care Delivery Area (PRCDA). On Aug. 20, 2021, IHS announced tribal consultation on the multi-year feasibility study results for designating the entire state of Arizona as a Purchased/Referred Care Delivery Area. Tribal consultation sessions have been rescheduled.
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1st Session: Nov. 30, 2021 1 pm Pacific – Zoom Link
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2nd Session: Dec. 8, 2021 1 pm Pacific – Zoom Link
CDC guidance on boosters CDC has released guidance on COVID-19 boosters for Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine recipients who completed their initial series at least 6 months ago for:
CDC Health Advisory on COVID-19 Vaccination for Pregnant People to Prevent Serious Illness, Deaths, and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes from COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends urgent action to increase COVID-19 vaccination among people who are pregnant, recently pregnant (including those who are lactating), who are trying to become pregnant now, or who might become pregnant in the future. CDC strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccination either before or during pregnancy because the benefits of vaccination outweigh known or potential risks.
Department of Treasury Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF). The HAF provides $498 million for Tribes and Tribally designated housing entities to prevent mortgage delinquencies and defaults, foreclosures, loss of utilities or home energy services, and displacement of homeowners experiencing financial hardship after Jan. 21, 2020.
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Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board npaihb.org | | | | |
