PRESS RELEASE: NCUIH BILL INTRODUCED TO EXPAND USE OF EXISTING RESOURCES FOR URBAN INDIAN HEALTH CARE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Contacts: 

NCUIH: Sara Williams, swilliams@ncuih.org 

THE BILL WOULD ALLOW EXISTING INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE RESOURCES TO ALLOW FOR RENOVATIONS, CONSTRUCTION, AND EXPANSION OF URBAN INDIAN ORGANIZATIONS. 

Washington, D.C. (May 25, 2021)  Today, Congressman Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE) introduced a bill in the House of Representatives that would expand the use of existing Indian Health Service (IHS) resources under Section 509 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) (25 U.S.C. § 1659) to increase the funding authority for renovating, constructing, and expanding Urban Indian Organizations (UIO). Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA)James Lankford (R-OK) along with co-sponsors Moran (R-KS), Feinstein (D-CA), and Smith (D-MN) on the Senate Indian Affairs Committee introduced the identical Senate bill.  

UIOs do not have access to facilities funding under the general IHS budgetary scheme, meaning that there is no specifically allocated funding for UIO facilities, maintenance, sanitation, or medical equipment, among other imperative facilities needs that have arisen in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the whole IHS system had to make the transition to telehealth, negative pressurizing rooms, and other facility renovations to safely serve patients during the pandemic, UIOs were not allowed to make those transitions due to this restriction. Section 509 currently permits the IHS to provide UIOs with funding for minor renovations, and only in order to assist UIOs in meeting or maintaining compliance with the accreditation standards set forth by The Joint Commission (TJC). These restrictions on facilities funding under Section 509 have ultimately prevented UIO facilities from obtaining funds necessary to improve the safety and quality of care provided to American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) persons in urban settings. Without such facilities funding, UIOs are forced to draw from limited funding pools, from which they must also derive their limited healthcare funding for AI/AN patients. 

“The impacts of COVID-19 will be with our Native communities for a long time to come. It is critical that the Indian Health Care Center of Santa Clara Valley and other UIOs be able to provide a safe environment for the families and patients we serve, said Sonya Tetnowski (Makah), NCUIH President-elect, President of California Consortium for Urban Indian Health (CCUIH), and CEO of the Indian Health Care Center of Santa Clara Valley. “We are extremely grateful for this Congressional leadership in rectifying a longstanding barrier preventing us from using existing funding to make urgent upgrades.” 

With only 1 out of the 41 UIOs predicted to maintain TJC accreditation, it is imperative for Congress to expand the use of existing IHS facilities funding under Section 509. UIOs serve a fundamental role in aiding Congress in fulfilling its trust obligation to approximately 70% of federally enrolled Indians who do not live on tribal lands. A failure for Congress to expand IHS facilities funding under the current model would amount to a violation of its fiduciary duties in providing AI/AN citizens with accessible healthcare. 

“Urban Indian Organizations are a lifeline to Native Americans living in urban areas across California,” said Senator Padilla. “Yet, UIOs are prohibited from using Indian Health Service funding for facilities, maintenance, equipment, and other necessary construction upgrades. During the pandemic, many UIOs couldn’t get approval for ventilation upgrades, heaters, generators, and weatherization equipment. Removing this unjust burden on UIOs is a commonsense fix and would allow them to improve the quality of the culturally competent care that they provide.”  

86 percent of UIOs report needing to make facilities and infrastructure upgrades, while 74 percent of UIOs report unmet need for new construction to better serve patients. These needs include but are not limited to the construction of urgent care facilities and infectious disease areas, capacity expansion projects, ventilation system improvements, and upgrades to telehealth and electronic health records systems. However, under an existing obsolete provision of law, UIOs are prevented from using the money allocated to them by Congress on these critical projects. The Urban Indian Health Providers Facilities Improvement Act amends the law to allow UIOs to spend appropriated funding on construction and renovation projects to improve the safety and quality of care provided to urban Indian patients. 

“Oklahoma has the second-largest Urban Indian patient population and is proudly served in both Tulsa and Oklahoma City clinics. We should continue to improve health care access for our Urban Indian population and broaden the flexibility for Urban Indian Organizations’ use of facilities renovation dollars, in addition to those for accreditation, to meet patient needs,” said Senator Lankford. “We should finalize these changes to ensure we provide more, quality options for Tribal health care. I look forward to the support from the leadership of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on this important legislation.” 

“Despite having extremely limited resources, Urban Indian organizations have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, and for long before that have provided comprehensive, culturally competent care to urban Indians and other medically underserved patients across the country,” said Rep. Gallego. “Congress must immediately end this erroneous restriction on UIOs’ ability to spend the money Congress gave them on the projects that will best serve their patients. We must pass this bill without delay.” 

“Like many community healthcare centers, Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) have been hit financially because of COVID and have struggled to renovate their facilities and expand capacity requirements,” said Rep. Bacon. “Under current law, UIOs cannot use federal funds to pay for these improvements and keep their doors open. Our bill lifts that restriction and grants access to these funds. These health centers care for so many members in our Nebraska community. It’s only right we close this loop hole so they can provide quality care to their patients.” 

BACKGROUND 

Recently, NCUIH was successful in working with Congress to allow some of the COVID-19 funds to be used for COVID-19 related facilities updates. However, the limitations of the IHCIA provision have continued to pose a barrier for UIOs for facility maintenance. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and Senator Lankford (R-OK) also inquired about the impacts of the restrictions at a recent Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing. 

NCUIH along with 29 other Native organizations recently included this request in a joint letter on infrastructure priorities, which also advocated for $21 billion for Indian health infrastructure inclusive of UIOs 

READ THE FULL LEGISLATIVE TEXT ONE PAGER: REMOVE FACILITIES RESTRICTIONS ON UIOS

PRESS RELEASE: NCUIH’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE WEEK STARTS TODAY

PRESS RELEASE: NCUIH’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE WEEK STARTS TODAY

CIRCLE OF RESILIENCE: EMPOWERING INDIAN COUNTRY IN A VIRTUAL WORLD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Contact: Sara Williams, swilliams@ncuih.org

Washington, D.C. (May 24, 2021) – The National Council of Urban Indian Health’s 2021 Annual Conference, themed Circle of Resilience: Empowering Indian Country in a Virtual World, starts this week running Tuesday, May 25 through Thursday, May 27, 12 – 5 p.m. EST daily. The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) will highlight high priority issues such as COVID-19, mental health disparities, community outreach, Missing and Murdered Native Americans (MMNA), and policy that is directly affecting American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations in urban areas and offer many networking opportunities.

“Against all odds, Indian Country has proven to be resilient. We know you have worked nonstop this year, working harder shifts and longer hours to provide more services for your communities than ever before,” said NCUIH CEO Francys Crevier (Algonquin). “This year’s conference is not just a reflection of the work we have done, but the chance for our community members to highlight all the work done at home.” 

NCUIH is excited to host an array of subject matter experts, Members of Congress, and representatives from federal agencies with dedicated spaces to collaborate throughout the conference. Today’s ever-changing virtual world brings a unique set of challenges while offering leaders the opportunity to innovate within their organizations to better reach the communities they serve.

We want to express our gratitude to our sponsors who graciously contributed to the 2021 NCUIH Annual Conference and to our exhibitors who will offer information and products during the conference for attendees to view or purchase between sessions. We invited a wide range of organizations including arts and crafts vendors to provide an engaging experience for attendees to build relationships and show their support for Indian Country in this new and exciting virtual event space.

SPONSORS:

Sponsors - PR

EXHIBITORS:

Exhibitors - PR

This year’s Annual Conference will offer three days of agency reports, best practices to empower and equip urban Indian organizations at the local level, and collaboration focused on culture, healing, culture, medicine, and wellness

REGISTER NOW  CONFERENCE ATTENDEE HUB

NCUIH Submits Written Testimony to House Interior Appropriations with FY22 Budget Requests for UIOs

On April 14, the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) CEO, Francys Crevier, submitted public witness written testimony to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies regarding Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 funding for Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs).

UIOs provide culturally competent health care to some of the 70% of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) living in cities and are primarily funded by a single line item in the annual Indian health budget, which constitutes less than 1% of the total Indian Health Service (IHS) annual budget. The devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Indian Country proved the dire need for increased funding and resources for UIOs, who have continuously provided services in the hardest hit urban areas during the entire pandemic.

In the testimony, NCUIH requested the following:

  • $200.5 million for Urban Indian Health for FY22
  • Include report language to allow use of facilities funding to UIOs
  • Advance appropriations for IHS
  • UIOs be insulated from unrelated budgetary disputes through a spend faster anomaly so that critical funding is not halted

These requests are essential to ensure that urban Indians are properly cared for and moves us closer to fulfilling the federal government’s trust responsibility to AI/ANs.

NEXT STEPS:

The testimony will be read and considered by the subcommittee as the appropriations process goes forward for Fiscal Year 2022.

Read the Full Testimony

Senator Van Hollen Asks IHS About Challenges for Urban Indians During the Pandemic

Senator Van Hollen Asks IHS About Challenges for Urban Indians During the Pandemic

On April 28, 2021, the Senate Committee on Appropriations held a hearing with IHS
“Addressing Health Disparities in Indian Country: Review of the Indian Health Service’s COVID Response and Future Needs”. At the hearing Chairman Jeff Merkley and Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski welcomed testimony from Elizabeth Fowler, Acting Director of IHS and Jillian E. Curtis, CFO of the Indian Health Service. The hearing comes as an oversight to COVID-19 and funds appropriated to IHS and its impact in Native communities.

Many committee members expressed concern over IHS data systems and long-term funding needs for AI/AN people and Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD] focused his questioning to IHS concerning urban Indians. Senator Van Hollen expressed his gratitude to IHS and their collaborative efforts with Native American Lifelines of Baltimore and University of Maryland Baltimore to provide vaccines to urban Indians. Senator Van Hollen expressed concerns on health equity of urban Indians by citing that “urban Indian health on comprises 1% of the IHS budget and has faced chronic underfunding over the years.” Going further Rep. Van Hollen posed the question to Elizabeth Fowler asking for further information about the IHS has faced in supporting urban Native populations during this pandemic. In response, Ms. Fowler explained that some outreach and referral Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) were not positioned to provide vaccines due to lack of resources including no Electronic Health Record system. Senator Van Hollen’s leadership is well appreciated on behalf the 70% of AI/AN living in urban areas. NCUIH is proud have advocates within Senate who recognize safe, quality, and equitable healthcare, funding is a must for urban Indian health.

Watch Here

COVID-19 and Infection Control: Good Ventilation & Air Handling as a Part of Infection Control (May 13, 2021)

May 13, 2021 | 2:30-3:30 p.m. EST

Next in the “COVID-19 and Infection Control” series is the seventh session, which will discuss the importance of “Good Ventilation & Air Handling as a Part of Infection Control.”

Presenters:

1.       Rochelle Moore, LMHC (Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake)

2.       Karen Kwok, MSN, FNP-BC, MPH (NCUIH)

3.       Dr. Abigail Carlson, (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

 

Objectives:

  1. Identify and review the techniques and requirements for proper ventilation and air handling procedures
  2. Encourage engagement around proper ventilation and air handling within a clinical setting as part of infection control
  3. Demonstrate an understanding and recognize the importance of ventilation and air handling in a clinical setting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Watch the Recording  Download the Slides

PRESS RELEASE: National Council of Urban Indian Health Partnered with Uber to Provide Transportation to Vaccine Clinic for urban Indians in the D.C. Metropolitan Area

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Contacts: 

NCUIH: Sara Williams, swilliams@ncuih.org 

UberUberPress@GlobalStrategyGroup.com 

Uber is donating 2,000 FREE/discounted rides to connect the American Indian and Alaska Native Communities to the COVID-19 Vaccine in DC metropolitan region and Baltimore. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 13, 2021) – Today, the National Council for Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) announced a new partnership with Uber to provide rides to Native American LifeLines Baltimore for urban American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) living in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) metropolitan area to receive their COVID-19 vaccination. Through this partnership, Uber provides 2,000 free or deeply discounted rides to members of the AI/AN community in the DMV to ensure vaccine equity.   

“Since last fall, NCUIH and Native American LifeLines have pushed for the inclusion of the 65,000 Natives in the DMV as Natives are dying from COVID-19 at the highest rates worldwide,” said NCUIH CEO Francys Crevier (Algonquin). “Lack of transportation should not hinder our relatives from having access to vaccinations. This partnership with Uber will ensure safe and convenient transportation to and from appointments as we continue this fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.”   

“We understand the necessity of high-quality health care and are proud to partner with the National Council of Urban Indian Health to help them make access to the COVID-19 vaccine seamless for the community they serve,” said Michele Blackwell, Public Affairs Manager for Uber. “Transportation is often a critical barrier that prevents vulnerable communities from accessing the health care they need. Uber is working hard in Baltimore and in the Washington, DC region to be part of the solution and ensure all people have access to the transportation they need to protect themselves and their families from this virus.”  

Promo codes will be distributed to individuals in the DMV from NCUIH and Native American LifeLines and will be redeemable until September 30, 2021. Offers will ensure each participant can get to and from each vaccination appointment at little to no cost to them. This announcement is part of Uber’s commitment to donate 10 million free rides to vaccine appointments nationally.   

For a comprehensive list of ways Uber has helped Move What Matters in the DMV since the outset of the pandemic, check out our blog www.uber.com/blog/moving-what-matters-in-the-dmv/. Visit www.ncuih.org/vaccine for more information on the vaccination clinic and our Be a Good Relative Campaign encouraging urban AI/AN to get vaccinated. 

White House Vaccine Hesitancy Briefing

Today, May 13, 1-2 p.m. EST join The White House and leaders in the nonprofit and foundation sector, including NCUIH CEO Francys Crevier, for a conversation on vaccination hesitancy data, strategy, and recommendations.

 

Register Here

IHS Urban Confer on Confer Policies

An April 27th Dear Urban Leader Letter gave notice of an upcoming Urban Confer with UIO leaders. The confer will be held Wednesday, June 9th, virtually at 2pm ET. The topic of this Confer will be on IHS Confer policies, as they are looking to improve upon them. Written comments are to be submitted no later than June 15th, by email.

Learn More

Senators Smith and Murkowski Re-introduced Tribal Health Data Improvement Act

On April 27, Sen. Tina Smith and Sen. Lisa Murkowski re-introduced NCUIH endorsed legislation to improve tribal health data surveillance. The bill intends to address challenges faced by tribes and tribal epidemiology centers when trying to access federal healthcare and public health surveillance data systems. NCUIH worked closely on the development of this bill to ensure urban Indians are adequately counted. If passed, the bill would require:

  • The Department of Health and Human Services to give tribes, tribal epidemiology centers, and the Indian Health Service access to public health surveillance programs and services.
  • The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to give technical assistance to tribes and tribal epidemiology centers and to engage in tribal consultations on American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) birth and death records
  • CDC to enter cooperative agreements with tribes, tribal organizations, urban Indian organizations, and tribal epidemiology centers to address misclassification of AI/AN birth and death records and public health surveillance information

Encourage states to enter into data sharing agreements with tribes and tribal epidemiology centers.

Read More

HHS Secretary Becerra Visits Seattle UIO

On April 29, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra visited Seattle Indian Health Board (SIHB) where he witnessed the unique ways that Urban Indian Health Programs deliver services to American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs). Secretary Becerra met with SIHB leadership to listen to ideas on how HHS can better serve the large population of AI/ANs living in urban settings.