April 21, 2023

In This Week's Washington Report

• Special Diabetes Program for Indians: SDPI 5-year Reauthorization Bipartisan Bill Introduced 

• COVID-19: Free COVID-19 Testing Will End for Some When the Public Health Emergency Ends May 11, 2023 

• Indian Health Services: Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Elevate the IHS Director to Assistant Secretary for Indian Health within HHS  

• Upcoming Events: Tribal Advisory Committees & Tribal Consultations, National Tribal Health Conference

News from Across Indian Country

SDPI 5-year Reauthorization Bipartisan Bill Introduced 

Last week, Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA) introduced legislation to reauthorize the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) for 5 years at a level of $150 million/ year. The legislation, H.R. 2547, was considered at a hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday, April 19. The President requested $250 million for SDPI in FY 2024, $260 million in FY 2025, and $270 in FY 2026. 

NIHB appreciates the leadership of Congressmen Cole and Ruiz for their leadership in introducing a 5-year reauthorization for SDPI.  By allowing Tribes to determine their own approach, SDPI has become the nation’s most effective federal initiative to combat diabetes and serves as a useful model both for diabetes programs nationwide and public health programs in Indian Country and beyond. 

This program not only saves lives, but millions of dollars in federal resources in reduced costs to Medicare and Medicaid. Introduction of this bill is one important step on the journey to achieving permanent reauthorization of SDPI.  NIHB looks forward to working with bipartisan members of both the House and Senate to ensure that SDPI is renewed at $250 million per year, as the program has been flat funded since FY 2004. 

Please contact your Members of Congress today and ask them to sign on to the SDPI support letter. More information about that letter can be found here.   

Free COVID-19 Testing Will End for Some When the Public Health Emergency Ends May 11, 2023 

The COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) officially ends on May 11, 2023. For the first time, you may be responsible for some or all of the costs of COVID-19 testing. The amount you will need to pay for testing will depend on where you get your health insurance coverage and whether the tests are done at home or at your doctor’s office.

Some private insurers may choose to continue to cover some or all of the cost of some home tests, though mandatory coverage for over-the-counter and laboratory-based COVID-19 PCR and antigen tests will end. Coverage will vary depending on the health plan. Consumers can expect to spend $20-$30 on a take-home test.

Medicaid enrollees will continue to receive free testing until September 2024. Some states have opted to provide Medicaid coverage to uninsured individuals for testing; this will end with the PHE. Medicare does not generally cover over-the-counter services and tests; current access to free over-the-counter COVID-19 tests will end with the end of the PHE. However, some Medicare Advantage plans may continue to provide coverage as a supplemental benefit. The cost will also go up for tests performed at healthcare facilities. During the PHE, insurers nationwide were barred from charging any cost-sharing fees or copays related to testing. However, this ends next month, and folks can expect to cover portions of the basic costs derived from the associated fees with administering the tests. 

Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Elevate the IHS Director to Assistant Secretary for Indian Health within HHS 

On April 6, 2023, Representatives Greg Stanton

(D-Arizona) and David Joyce (R-Ohio) introduced the Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act (H.R. 2535). The stated goal of the bill is to improve Native American health outcomes and to elevate the current role of the Indian Health Service Director to Assistant Secretary for Indian Health within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  

The elevation of the IHS Director to an Assistant Secretary has been a long-standing priority for the NIHB and Tribal nations and is listed as part of NIHB’s 2023 Legislative and Policy Agenda. To read the entire press release, click here. 

Upcoming Tribal Advisory Committees & Tribal Consultations 

Joint SAMHSA TTAC Meeting 

April 26 | Hybrid

9:00 AM – 3:15 PM EDT

The meeting will include remarks from the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use; SAMHSA's updates by the Centers and Office Directors; a presentation and discussion addressing the Children's Mental Health Crisis; discussion/feedback

on how to improve the mental health and substance use disorders services during a public health emergency; and a presentation and discussion on the impact on Fentanyl in American communities. 

The meeting will be held at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857 and online via Zoom.

Zoom Registration:  https://snacregister.samhsa.gov/ 

ACL Hosted Tribal Listening Session 

On April 12, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) hosted a Listening Session with Tribal Leaders to discuss the health needs of Tribal elders. During the Listening Session, Tribal Leaders shared their concerns with ACL leadership, covering a range of topics. One topic covered was the lack of a formal technical advisory committee (TAC) to help Tribal leaders advise and consult with ACL leadership. During this portion of the conversation, ACL officials agreed with Tribal leaders that a TAC is needed but were unsure of a timeline to make that happen.  

Tribal leaders also discussed the need for increased Title IX funding to help increase the reach of current programs that provide long-term services and supports, transportation access to and from health appointments, and housing support for elders. Tribal leaders also shared concerns about current levels of funding. Many Tribal officials noted that for many smaller Tribes, current funding levels and overall funding formulas are not sufficient to cover both program and staffing costs.   

2023 NIHB National Tribal Health Conference

Monday, May 1, 12:30 PM

National Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) Networking Luncheon

Pre-Registration Required, Space Limited

As part of the conference, we are hosting a National Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) Networking Luncheon on Monday, May 1, at 12:30PM. This luncheon will provide an opportunity for TAC delegates, alternates, and technical advisors to come together to network, discuss critical Tribal policy priorities, and brainstorm on ways the TACs can work together to advance Tribal health equity across the federal government. The luncheon is only open to TAC delegates, alternates, and technical advisors. Lunch is provided, and registration is required. Please click here to register.

Monday, May 1 Tribal Listening Sessions

8:30 - 10:00 AM: Indian Health Service Listening Session

10:30 - 12:00 PM: National Tribal Behavioral Health Listening Session

1:30 - 3:00 PM: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Listening Session

3:30 - 5:00 PM: Social Security Administration Tribal Listening Session

3:30 - 5:00 PM: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Tribal Health Data Modernization Listening Session

National Indian Health Board | www.nihb.org | 202-507-4070

Visit the NIHB COVID-19 Tribal Resource Center at www.nihb.org/covid-19