The National Indian Health Board is a dedicated advocate to the Administration and the Congress on behalf of all Tribal governments, American Indians, and Alaska Natives. Each weekly issue contains a listing of current events on Capitol Hill, information on passed and upcoming legislation, Indian health policy analysis, and action items. | |
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In This Week's Washington Report
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Special Diabetes Program for Indians: Bipartisan Support from the House Energy and Commerce Committee
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Indian Health Service: Medicaid Fraud Schemes Targeting Tribal Communities
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NIHB IN Action: 3rd Quarter Direct Service Tribes Advisory Committee (DSTAC) Meeting
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Dear Tribal Leader: IHS Loan Repayment Program
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Upcoming Events: Tribal Advisory Committees & Tribal Consultations
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Funding Opportunities: Check out newly released funding opportunities
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News from Across Indian Country | |
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The Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) Receives Bipartisan Support from the House Energy and Commerce Committee!
On May 24, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed H.R. 3561, which included legislation to reauthorize SDPI for 2 years, FY 2024 and FY 2025, at a funding level of $170 million per year. SDPI is currently funded at $150 million per year and has not had a funding increase in 20 years. Receiving bipartisan support, the legislation will now proceed for a vote on the House Floor with a date to be determined.
The House SDPI support letter is nearing the finish line! The letter has over 238 signers with more members joining every day. However, we anticipate the Congressional Diabetes Caucus will close the letter for signatures this week. Thank you to everyone who assisted in this effort!
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IHS Writes to Tribal Leaders about Medicaid Fraud Schemes Targeting Tribal Communities in Behavioral Health Treatment Centers
On May 19, 2023, the Indian Health Service (IHS) issued a Dear Tribal Leader Letter alerting folks of a newly discovered scheme to defraud the Medicaid program, submitting false and fraudulent claims for services never rendered to patients. “The State of Arizona is taking swift action to stop a humanitarian crisis, root out waste, fraud and abuse, and crack down on bad actors exploiting Tribal communities,” said Governor Katie Hobbs, who stated that many of these homes targeted Tribal community members while defrauding the state out of millions of dollars. This discovery has resulted in payment suspensions against more than 100 unique, registered providers based on credible allegations of fraudulent billing activities.
Native News Online reported that many of the facilities are referred to as “sober living homes” in the state. Fraudulent treatment practices may be taking place in residential or outpatient facilities and may target vulnerable folks by enticing the unsheltered with offers of food, money, shelter, or treatment to lure them into the phony facility. The FBI is seeking victims who may have been recruited to live in and receive services in group homes (Behavioral Health Residential Facilities) located in Phoenix, Arizona, between January 2020 to present, and asking that they complete this form. Here are several resources:
- AHCCCS (Arizona’s state Medicaid agency) has established a dedicated member hotline at 2-1-1 (press 7) for members affected by the closure of a sober living home or residential facility
- If you have any information regarding this fraud scheme, please direct tips to 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477)
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NIHB attends Third Quarter Direct Service Tribes Advisory Committee (DSTAC) Meeting
On May 17 and 18, 2023, the Direct Service Tribes Advisory Committee (DSTAC) met with Indian Health Service (IHS) leadership in Richmond, VA. During the two-day meeting, Tribal Leaders received updates on IHS priorities from Director Roselyn Tso, the Public Health Emergency Unwinding and the impact on Vaccinations at IHS from Dr. Loretta Christensen, IHS Chief Medical Officer, and a Direct Service Tribes budget update from IHS CFO, Jillian Curtis.
Tribal leaders and NIHB staff had the opportunity to tour three mobile units that service IHS patients in the Mid-Atlantic Service Unit service area. The mobile units each provide primary, behavioral health, and dental care and improve access to care for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities across the region. The units serve seven Tribes, including the Pamunkey, Chickahominy, Chickahominy Eastern Division, Upper Mattaponi, Rappahannock Indian Tribe, Monacan Indian Nation, and Nansemond Indian Nation.
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Tribal leaders and NIHB staff also toured the Mid-Atlantic Tribal Health Center construction site in Charles City, VA. The health center is scheduled to open in the summer of 2024. The site will offer primary and dental care, behavioral health, diabetes screening and prevention, and pharmacy and lab services.
The next DSTAC meeting is tentatively scheduled for August 17, 2023, with virtual (Zoom) and an in-person option in the Bemidji IHS Area.
For more information contact AC Locklear, Director of Federal Relations at [email protected] or Garrett Lankford, Federal Relations Analyst, at [email protected].
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Dear Tribal Leader Letter (DTLL) – IHS Loan Repayment Program
On May 19, IHS Division of Health Professions Support published a DTLL seeing assistance in identifying health professions for inclusion into the IHS Scholarship Program. Each year, IHS seeks feedback on a list of “Priority Categories” for inclusion in the program. Submissions are limited to health professions for which Tribes have current full-time vacancies, or positions that are anticipated to have full-time vacancies within the next year. More information can be found in this DTLL. Submissions are due August 1, 2023 to Mr. Jeremy Sheehan at [email protected].
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Upcoming Tribal Advisory Committees & Tribal Consultations
Office of Management and Budget Hosting Tribal Consultation on Proposed IHS Mandatory Funding
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is holding a virtual Tribal consultation on President Biden's proposal to shift funding for the Indian Health Service (IHS) to mandatory beginning in FY 2025. The President's proposal would use a funding formula adjusted for inflation to incrementally grow the IHS's budget to a total funding level of approximately $44 billion in FY 2033.
IHS Director's Advisory Workgroup on Tribal Consultation
The IHS Director's Advisory Workgroup on Tribal Consultation will be hosting a hybrid meeting.
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Date: Thursday, June 1 - Friday, June 2, 2023
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Meeting Location: Henry M. Jackson Federal Building (South Auditorium) 915 2nd Avenue, Seattle, WA 98174
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Attendance: In-person participation is reserved for Tribal Workgroup Leaders, their Technical Advisors, and invited Federal representatives only. All other participants are welcome to attend via Zoom – Register here
Facilities Appropriations Advisory Board (FAAB) Meeting
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Date: Wednesday, June 28 – Thursday, June 29, 2023
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Time: 9:00 AM ET [both days]
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Join ZoomGov Meeting | Meeting ID: 161 149 3731
HHS Annual Regional Tribal Consultations Summer 2023
Each of the ten HHS regions will again be hosting consultations with regional Tribes to discuss programmatic issues and Tribal priorities. Each session will include one-on-one opportunities with regional leadership. The sessions will largely take place in-person, with select regions taking place virtually. Dates and locations for the following consultations have been set:
- Region 1 – June 27 held virtually
- Region 2 – June 6 in Irving, NY
- Region 3 – July 19 held virtually
- Region 4 – August 30-31 held in Choctaw, MS
- Region 5 – July 11-12 in New Buffalo, MI
- Region 6 – August 22-24 in Dallas, TX
- Region 7 – June 21-23 in Kansas City, MO
- Region 8 – August 1-2 in Denver, CO
- Region 9 – June 28-29 in Phoenix, AZ
- Region 10 – August 10-11 in Anchorage, AK
The save the dates for all regions are noted in the same Dear Tribal Leader Letter as the Annual Tribal Budget Consultation. Details should be received directly from each region.
IHS 2nd Quarter National Tribal Advisory Committee (NTAC) on Behavioral Health Meeting
The National Tribal Advisory Committee (NTAC) on Behavioral Health serves as an advisory body to the Indian Health Service (IHS), Division of Behavioral Health (DBH), and to the Director of the IHS. For additional information and/or if you have any questions, please contact DBH by email at [email protected] or by phone at 301-443-2038.
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Notice of Funding Opportunities
NOFO on Tribal Self-Governance Grants
IHS Funding Opportunities Support Tribal Self-Governance Planning and Negotiation Activities
The funding opportunities for the Fiscal Year 2023 Tribal Self-Governance Planning and Negotiation Cooperative Agreements, administered by the Office of Tribal Self-Governance, are now available and published in the Federal Register. The Planning Cooperative Agreement application deadline is June 20, and the Negotiation Cooperative Agreement application deadline is June 30.
Read more in the IHS Blog
NOFO on Produce Prescription Pilot Program from IHS
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Indian Health Service, is announcing the availability of $2.5 million in funding to support the development of produce prescription programs in Native communities. Produce prescription programs help individuals and families who are experiencing food insecurity and/or diet‑related health problems more easily obtain fresh fruits and vegetables by receiving a prescription from a health care provider. Launching these programs in Native communities will support the Administration’s efforts to reduce food insecurity and improve their health outcomes among AI/AN people by increasing their access to fresh produce and other healthy traditional foods.
NOFOs from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA)
Strategic Prevention Framework - Partnerships for Success
Using the SAMHSA Strategic Prevention Framework to strengthen the capacity of local community prevention providers to implement evidence-based programs. Closing: June 5, 2023.
SAMHSA Support for 988 Tribal Response Cooperative Agreements
This funding opportunity will provide resources to improve the response to 988 contacts (including calls, chats, and texts) originated by AI/ANs or in Tribal communities. 988 is the national suicide and crisis lifeline that connects users with confidential, trained crisis counselors 24/7. Tribes, Tribal organizations, urban Indian organizations, and Tribal consortia may apply to improve integration and support of 988 crisis centers with access to culturally competent responders and carried out through partnerships and in a manner that respects Tribal sovereignty. Full program details are available in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. Applications for the three-year cooperative agreements are requested by July 18.
NOFOs from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Micro-Grants for Food Security Program
Increasing the quantity and quality of locally grown food in food-insecure communities through small-scale gardening, herding, and livestock operations by competitively distributing sub-awards to eligible entities. Closing: June 6, 2023.
Community Connect Broadband Grant Program
Grants for communities without broadband access to provide residential and business broadband service and connect facilities such as police and fire stations, healthcare, libraries, and schools. Closing: June 20, 2023.
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