NCUIH Submits Testimony to House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees

On March 18, 2021, the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee invited the National Council of Urban Indian Health to submit testimony on ongoing issues facing urban Native veterans.

NCUIH made the following recommendations:

• Urge VA to Reimburse UIOs ASAP and Include Urban Indians in Copayment Exemption
• Provide Oversight to the VA to Interpret Eligibility in Favor of Increasing Access to Care and Consistent with the PL 116-315 and Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C 1602)
• Remove Non-Committal Language of Only “Exploring Options” to Extend VHA Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy Access to UIOs

Why Does this Matter to UIOs?:

AI/AN veterans often prefer to use Indian Health Care Providers (IHCPs), including UIOs, for reasons such as cultural competency, community and familial relations, and shorter wait times.

Policy Contact: Meredith Raimondi, mraimondi@NCUIH.org