PRESS RELEASE: NCUIH Releases Preliminary Report on Impacts of Government Shutdown and Trackers for Regulations and Legislation

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Meredith Raimondi
202-544-0344
mraimondi@ncuih.org

NCUIH Releases Preliminary Report on Impacts of Government Shutdown and Trackers for Regulations and Legislation

During the 2019 Washington Summit, NCUIH provided an update on findings of impacts from the government shutdown and published trackers for regulations and legislation online.

Washington, DC (April 30, 2019) — On April 23 and 24, NCUIH hosted over 120 attendees including representatives from Urban Indian Health Programs (UIHPs) and federal agencies. During the Summit, NCUIH released a preliminary report on the impact on the government shutdown on Urban Indian Health Programs (UIHPs). In addition, the Policy Department released online trackers for regulation and legislation.

  • The shutdown report survey brief and key findings can be found here.
  • The legislative tracker will be updated on a biweekly basis with new legislation that NCUIH is watching as it relates to Urban Indian Health Program (UIHP) funding and policy. View the legislative tracker here.
  • The regulation tracker is a resource for following activities at federal agencies as they relate to the work of UIHPs. View the regulation tracker here.

The conference featured 7 keynote speakers for a total of over 47 speakers who presented on topics including 2020 Census Update, Strategies to Promote Compliance and Achieve Quality in your Healthcare Program, Sovereignty in the Era of Medicaid Work Requirements and ICWA from Gregory Smith and Elliott Milhollin of Hobbs Strauss, and Past, Present, Future: Urban Indian Health Policy. Many of the presentations are available online here.

“During the shutdown we heard about clinics closing. Indian Country has come together to say we can’t afford another shutdown,” said Jacqueline Pata, Executive Director at the National Council of American Indians (NCAI).

“Indian health is part of a trust obligation that goes back to the earliest treaties of American Indians with the United States Government. There is no argument to justify that urban Indian populations should receive any different level of health care from US Government as part of that trust obligation,” said Professor Matthew Fletcher, Director of the Indigenous Law & Policy Center at the Michigan State University.

Day two of the Summit included a keynote from Dr. Rose Weahkee, Acting Director of Office of Urban Indian Health Programs at the Indian Health Service and a panel of Native American Staffers from Capitol Hill including Naomi Miguel from the House Committee on Natural Resources, Jacqueline Bisille from the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and Heidi Todacheene from the Office of Congresswoman Deb Haaland.

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About the National Council of Urban Indian Health (https://ncuih.org)

The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) is the premier National 501(c)(3) organization devoted to the support and development of quality, accessible, and culturally-competent health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) living in urban settings. NCUIH envisions a nation where comprehensive, culturally competent personal and public health services are available and accessible to AI/ANs living in urban communities throughout the United States.  NCUIH represents 42 Urban Indian Health Programs (UIHPs) in the United States.

Preliminary Report: Impact of Government Shutdown on Urban Indian Organizations

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Overview

The federal government shutdown of 2018–2019 occurred from midnight EST on December 22, 2018 until January 25, 2019. This shutdown became the longest federal government shutdown in US history, lasting 35 days and causing severe and detrimental impact on the Indian healthcare delivery system. The interruption in funding precipitated by the shutdown had dire consequences for UIOs and consequently on American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) across the country. This brief summarizes the results of a survey NCUIH circulated during the shutdown to capture important metrics and narratives regarding the impacts of the shutdown. The 2018/2019 Government Shutdown: Impacts on your Program survey was fielded January 2 to January 15, 2019 by the National Council of Urban Indian Health.

Key Findings

  • UIOs operate on very low margins.
    • UIOs operate on margins so low that even the most minor changes to their funding structure leads to devastating impacts on the services they provide to AI/ANs as well as their ability to keep their facilities operational.
  • All aspects of the urban healthcare delivery system were impacted by the shutdown, but UIO workforce were the first to experience its disastrous effects.
    • The survey results pointed to a pattern which suggests that among the difficult decisions UIOs were forced to make during the 2013 and the 2018/2019 shutdown, delaying hiring, reducing hours, and laying off of staff was usually the first choice.
  • Services were also greatly impacted.
    • Another pattern highlighted by the survey was that UIOs were forced to cut back on services that were not as consequential as others – services such as dental services, transportation, case management, and community outreach services. However, some UIOs were forced to cut even the essential services like substance abuse services, and purchase requests for insulin and blood pressure medications.
  • UIOs were forced to use savings designated for other purposes to shield staff and patients from impact of the last two shutdowns.
    • Yet another pattern illustrated in the survey results suggests that UIO leaders make an effort to protect their staff and current services by using savings earmarked for growing their program.
  • More research is needed.
    • Impacts of the shutdown are ongoing. This study was limited to only 13 days in the field so with further funding support, additional information on the long-term shutdown impacts can be determined. As the nationwide organization representing all Urban Indian Health Programs, NCUIH can assist with coordination of further research. To provide funding resources or inquire further, contact Alejandro Bermudez at abermudez@ncuih.org.

Preliminary Report

View here.

Additional Information

Please contact Julia Dreyer, Director of Federal Relations at jdreyer@ncuih.org.

UIHP News: New Executive Director at Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake

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The Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake is pleased to announce the appointment of Maurice “Mo” Smith as Executive Director. Mo has over 28 years of experience in the nonprofit sector working with American Indian communities. He has served as a Program Manager for the US Olympic Committee, Executive Director of the Native American Sports Council, and Executive Director of the National Council for Urban Indian Health. Originally from Colorado, he is a member of the Navajo Nation and is also African American.

PRESS RELEASE: At NCUIH Washington Summit, Leaders from Indian Country Address Impacts of Government Shutdown and Outline Vision for Urban Indians

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Meredith Raimondi
Manager, Communications & Events
National Council of Urban Indian Health
202-544-0344
mraimondi@ncuih.org

At NCUIH Washington Summit, Leaders from Indian Country Address Impacts of Government Shutdown and Outline Vision for Urban Indians

On the first day, the National Council of Urban Indian Health Washington Summit featured key insights about the government shutdown and the future of urban Indian health.

Washington, DC (April 24, 2019) — The National Council of Urban Indian Health had a successful first day with keynotes from Rear Admiral Michael Weahkee, Principal Deputy Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS), Jacqueline Pata, Executive Director at the National Council of American Indians (NCAI), Professor Matthew Fletcher, Director of the Indigenous Law & Policy Center at the Michigan State University. The over 100 individuals in attendance included representatives from over 20 Urban Indian Health Programs (UIHPs).

In keeping with the Summit’s theme of One Voice Acting Strategically to improve our Health through Policy and Partnerships, Rear Admiral Michael Weahkee stressed the importance of interagency collaboration with Urban Indian Health Programs (UIHPs).

“During the shutdown we heard about clinics closing. Indian Country has come together to say we can’t afford another shutdown,” said Jacqueline Pata, Executive Director at the National Council of American Indians (NCAI).

“Indian health is part of a trust obligation that goes back to the earliest treaties of American Indians with the United States Government. There is no argument to justify that urban Indian populations should receive any different level of health care from US Government as part of that trust obligation,” said Professor Matthew Fletcher, Director of the Indigenous Law & Policy Center at the Michigan State University.

Day two of the Summit includes a keynote from Dr. Rose Weahkee, Acting Director of Office of Urban Indian Health Programs at the Indian Health Service and a panel of Native American Staffers from Capitol Hill including Naomi Miguel from the House Committee on Natural Resources, Jacqueline Bisille from the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and Heidi Todacheene from the Office of Congresswoman Deb Haaland.

View the agenda for April 24 here.

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About the National Council of Urban Indian Health (https://ncuih.org)

The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) is the premier National 501(c)(3) organization devoted to the support and development of quality, accessible, and culturally-competent health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) living in urban settings. NCUIH envisions a nation where comprehensive, culturally competent personal and public health services are available and accessible to AI/ANs living in urban communities throughout the United States.  NCUIH represents 42 Urban Indian Health Programs (UIHPs) in the United States.

PRESS RELEASE: NCUIH’s 2nd Washington Summit Highlights include Keynotes from IHS, NCAI’s Jacqueline Pata and Professor Matthew Fletcher

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Meredith Raimondi
Manager, Communications & Events
National Council of Urban Indian Health
202-544-0344
mraimondi@ncuih.org

NCUIH’s 2nd Washington Summit Highlights include Keynotes from IHS, NCAI’s Jacqueline Pata and Professor Matthew Fletcher

This week, the National Council of Urban Indian Health will host their second Washington Summit.

Washington, DC (April 23, 2019) — The National Council of Urban Indian Health will host their second Washington Summit on April 23 and 24 in Washington, DC. With an expected attendance of over 120 individuals from urban Indian Health Programs across the country and 10 federal agencies, the Summit’s theme is One Voice Acting Strategically to improve our Health through Policy and Partnerships.

“We are pleased to have an opportunity for urban Indian health programs (UIHPs) to meet with leaders from federal agencies especially after the government shutdown impacted so many of our facilities. We expect fruitful conversations that will help all of us to work to better serve American Indians and Alaska Natives no matter where they live,” said Executive Director Francys Crevier.

The Summit includes keynotes from Rear Admiral Michael Weahkee, Principal Deputy Director, Indian Health Service (IHS) on Tuesday, April 23 and Dr. Rose Weahkee, Acting Director, IHS Office of Urban Indian Health Programs on Wednesday, April 24. Other keynotes include Jacqueline Pata, Executive Director at the National Council of American Indians (NCAI) and Professor Matthew Fletcher, Director of the Indigenous Law & Policy Center at the Michigan State University. NCUIH Youth Council Members Shoshanna Johnson and Adon Vazquez will present on “Using Social Media Campaigns to Raise Awareness: Suicide and Substance Misuse Prevention for Native American Youth”.

The following federal agencies will send representatives: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services, Veterans Affairs,Indian Health Service – Division of Behavioral Health, Health Resources and Service Administration, Administration for Native Americans, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the Office of Inspector General, US Department of Health and Human Services.

The Honorary Host Committee includes Congressman Tom Cole, Congressman Ruben Gallego, Congressman Raúl Grijalva, Congresswoman Deb Haaland, Congressman Doug LaMalfa, Congressman Ben Ray Luján, and Congresswoman Betty McCollum with Senator John Hoeven, Senator Jon Tester, Senator Tom Udall, and Senator Elizabeth Warren.

This year’s Summit is sponsored by:

Indian Health Service
Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley
Oklahoma City Indian Clinic
Denver Indian Health and Family Services
First Nations Community Healthsource
Indian Health Care Resource Center
UND National Resource Center on Native American Aging
Tribal Diagnostics

The Summit artwork is by Kevin Tushka. “Arrowheads practice precision and pierce the elements. On the left side of this arrowhead: a pregnant woman carries her family’s water; a man serenades on flute, an elderly chief’s eyes carry the wisdom and weight of life in extremes. The right side: a young WWI veteran, a woman petitioning at a podium, a violin is played while muscular arms cross to represent many Native masters of Arts and fitness in this day. Lessons and stories were told over fires and our stories won’t end. We will pierce the future and stake the flag of heritage everywhere he hit our targets,” said Kevin Tushka, Summit Artist.

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About the National Council of Urban Indian Health (https://ncuih.org)

The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) is the premier National 501(c)(3) organization devoted to the support and development of quality, accessible, and culturally competent health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) living in urban settings. NCUIH envisions a nation where comprehensive, culturally competent personal and public health services are available and accessible to AI/ANs living in urban communities throughout the United States.  NCUIH represents 42 Urban Indian Health Programs (UIHPs) in the United States.

NCUIH in the News: “Spending leaders agitate for shielding Native American services from shutdowns”

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Spending leaders agitate for shielding Native American services from shutdowns

By Supriya Sridhar

04/19/2019 05:01 AM EDT

Kerry Hawk Lessard scrolled through Walmart’s four-dollar prescription list, hoping for a miracle.

Normally, the Native American health clinic she runs in Baltimore would have been able to cover the $70 medication it had prescribed for a man who had just undergone a tooth extraction. But it was January, during the 35-day government shutdown, and federal assistance had stopped flowing to Lessard’s organization, constraining cash for medicine and services like support groups for people struggling with opioid addiction.

“We are sending him out into the world with a prescription that he can’t fill,” she recounted this month.

The strain on Lessard’s clinics, Native American LifeLines, was felt by many American Indian health providers throughout the country that rely on federal money from the Indian Health Service. So in Congress, high-ranking lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are rallying now behind plans that would insulate Native American assistance from the effects of future shutdowns.

The proposals would essentially lay out two years of funding, rather than one, for American Indian health clinics, as well as other tribal assistance like education support.

“Indian Tribes, their health care should not be dependent on whether or not Congress gets its other work done,” said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), co-chair of the Native American Caucus and a cosponsor of bills that would switch the funding model for those clinics. “We have a treaty obligation to the Native Americans, and we ought to protect them from being caught in the dispute that they didn’t cause.”

While the Indian Health Service is run by the Department of Health and Human Services, Congress funds it through the spending bill that covers the Interior Department and the EPA. So some lawmakers championing the funding change say it would fit most naturally in that spending measure for the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1.

The House Appropriations Committee plans to start unveiling and marking up its fiscal 2020 funding bills later this month, with the goal of passing all 12 of the annual spending measures on the floor by the end of June.

Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), who chairs the Interior-Environment spending subcommittee, has introduced provisions, H.R. 1128 (116), that would provide advance funding for agencies like the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Education and the Indian Health Service. In the Senate, Tom Udall (D-N.M.) has rolled out a companion measure, S. 229 (116). And Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) has proposed a narrower bill, H.R. 1135 (116), he said he will push only if the others go nowhere.

“If it doesn’t happen this year, we have laid the foundation,” McCollum said during a hearing this month. “But we’re not going to stop there either.”

In the Senate, the two Republicans representing Alaska have heard this year from tribal groups advocating for a funding workaround that would protect them during the next lapse. The Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association, which was forced to dip into its funding reserves during the most recent government shutdown, specifically cited Young’s and Udall’s bills in a letter this year.

But Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is concerned that seeking funding changes for agencies other than the Indian Health Service could complicate the legislative endeavor and decrease the likelihood of being able to clear such a bill, her office said.

Some in Congress are worried, too, that making an exception to shield Native American programs from the pain of government shutdowns would set an inequitable standard.

“The concern we have is that there are many, many programs that, during the shutdown, suffered dramatically and that we have to consider the precedent that’s set,” House Budget Chairman John Yarmuth (D-Ky.) said during a House Rules Committee markup this month.

Already, portions of the Medicaid program, the Veterans Health Administration and the Education Department’s formula grants are aided by the kind of funding extension the lawmakers want for Native American programs.

“Don’t decide for some arcane budget reason that somehow Indians have to be subjected to discretionary spending limits on their health care when no other American is,” Cole said during the Rules Committee meeting.

The Oklahoma Republican, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, said his own tribe keeps a six-month reserve in case of a funding lapse. “We have the ability to do that. A lot of tribes don’t,” Cole said.

During the shutdown, some American Indian health clinics had to close altogether, several had to reduce hours and lay off staff, while others reported that they would only be able to stay open for an additional 30 days.

Maureen Rosette, president of the National Council of Urban Indian Health, plead last month for House spending leaders to make a change, testifying that some American Indian health clinic operators had to take personal liens on their homes to help their facilities.

“Congress cannot continue to let this happen,” said Rosette, calling for “true parity” for Native American programs.

To view online: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/health-care/article/2019/04/spending-leaders-agitate-for-shielding-native-american-services-from-shutdowns-1370323