The NIHB Board passed six resolutions during this meeting:
NIHB Resolution 23-03 Calling on Direct Access to Federal Block Grant Funding for Tribal Nations
This resolution calls on the federal government to either establish a Tribal nation block grant program to administer the same granted federal authority for every federal block grant provided to state or local governments. Block grants are distributed by formula, allow greater flexibility in the use of funds, and have fewer administrative conditions than categorical grants, however, Tribal Nations are not eligible to receive this funding and state and local governments often fail to pass on or utilize the funding for the benefit of American Indians and Alaska Natives.
NIHB Resolution 23-04 in Support for Indigenous Determinants of Health and National Plan for Tribal Health
This resolution calls on the United States government to carry out the actions in the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted Resolution A76/A/CONF./1 “The Health of Indigenous Peoples as necessary steps for member states to take to advance health equity for Indigenous Peoples. It also urges U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to recognize and adopt an appropriate framework for Tribal Determinants of Health, in consultation with American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes. Lastly, it encourages the United States government to develop and implement a national plan for Tribal health, in consultation with Tribes, and supported by sufficient funding to achieve health equity and ensure the health and wellness of American Indians and Alaska Natives.
NIHB Resolution 23-05 in Support for Standard Coverage of Oral Health Care Services under Medicaid
This resolution calls on Congress to create a federal minimum dental benefit under Medicaid, including preventative services, restorative services, dentures and emergency care.
NIHB Resolution 23-06 in Support for Updating the National Tribal Behavioral Health Agenda
This resolution calls for a review and update of the Tribal Behavioral Health Agenda (TBHA), which was first published in 2016. Over six years have passed since the publication of the TBHA, during which AI/AN communities have experienced the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing rates of behavioral health disparities, especially related to substance misuse, overdose deaths, and suicide. NIHB seeks to partner with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to update the document in a collaborative manner that incorporates Tribal leaders, SAMHSA, the Indian Health Service and other key partners.
NIHB Resolution 23-07 Supporting Federal Legislation Requiring Removal of Debts
This resolution seeks to remedy when Indian Health Service (IHS) beneficiaries inaccurately receive bills for Purchased Referred Care (PRC), which either the patients pay out-of-pocket to avoid adverse impact on credit, or they go unpaid and subsequently to collections. The resolution supports legislation similar to the Protecting Veterans Credit Act of 2017 that would provide a mechanism to require credit reporting agencies to remove information on the credit reports of IHS beneficiaries that relates to debts or collections activity for bills that should have been paid by the IHS. It also urges the IHS to implement Section 222 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) to establish an accessible, transparent process for IHS beneficiaries to obtain reimbursement for PRC bills that IHS should have, but did not, pay in a timely manner.
NIHB Resolution 23-08 in Support for Fair and Proportional Facilities Support Account Resources for Tribal Health Programs
This resolution supports fair and proportionate Facilities Support Account (FSA) funding for all Indian Health Service (IHS) Areas regardless of the absence of IHS facilities. It calls on IHS and Congress to address this issue immediately with new and additional funding to protect current Area FSA budgets.
The Board of Directors will be present at the upcoming National Tribal Opioid Summit August 22-24 in Tulalip, Washington (Click here for more information). The next quarterly Board Meeting will be held virtually Monday, November 6.
Please address any questions to Jennifer Speight at [email protected].
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