CDC and FDA Approve COVID-19 Boosters for Certain Individuals

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On March 29, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized secondary booster doses of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for older adults and certain immunocompromised individuals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also updated its recommendations following the approval. The updated CDC recommendations acknowledge the increased risk of severe COVID-19 for the elderly, those over the age of 50 with underlying conditions, and are given based on available data on vaccine and booster effectiveness and FDA recommendations.

The FDA amended the emergency use authorizations with the following:

  • Individuals 50 years of age and older, who received their first booster of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months prior, may receive a second booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
  • Individuals 12 years of age and older with certain immunocompromises, who received their first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months prior, may receive a second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Individuals 18 years of age and older, who received their first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 4 months prior, may receive a secondary booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

Background

American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the height of it, AI/ANs were 3.5 times more likely to test positive, 3.2 times more likely to be hospitalized and 2.2 times more likely to die due to COVID-19. Due to NCUIH advocacy, UIOs were included in initial vaccine rollout plans and efforts.  NCUIH also partnered with Native American Lifelines – Baltimore and the University of Maryland to create a vaccine clinic for urban AI/ANs in the DC area.

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Biden FY23 Budget Request Includes $9.1 Billion in Mandatory Funding for IHS

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On March 28, 2022, President Biden released his Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Budget. The budget includes $9.1 billion in mandatory funding for the Indian Health Service (IHS) for the first year, an increase of $2.9 billion above FY 2021, and $40.7 billion less than requested by the Tribal Budget Formulation Workgroup (TBFWG). The budget proposes increased funding for IHS each year over ten years, building to $36.7 billion in FY 2032, to keep pace with population growth, inflation, and healthcare costs. Funding for Contract Support Costs and 105(l) leases also shifted from discretionary to mandatory funding in the FY 2023 budget. The President’s budget does not include advance appropriations for IHS, which was requested in the FY 2022 budget. Note: The urban Indian health amount has not yet been released and detailed agency requests are expected to be available in the coming days.

Mandatory Funding for IHS

The Budget Brief stated, “The Administration is committed to implementing long-term solutions to address chronic under-funding of IHS and finally delivering on the nation’s promises to Indian Country.” Further, it states, “Implementing this change to the IHS budget will make meaningful progress toward redressing health inequities and ensuring that the disproportionate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on AI/AN communities are never repeated.” About the budget for IHS, President Biden stated it, “makes high-impact investments that will expand access to healthcare services, modernize aging facilities and information technology infrastructure, and address urgent health issues, including HIV and Hepatitis C, maternal mortality, and opioid use. It also includes funding to improve healthcare quality, enhance operational capacity, fully fund operational costs for Tribal health programs to support tribal self-determination, and recruit and retain healthcare providers.”

Advancing health equity by providing high quality care in Indian country is a priority for Biden. The budget book states, “Historical trauma and chronic underinvestment significantly contributed to the perpetuation of health disparities in Indian Country. These stark inequities illustrate the urgent need for investments to improve the health status and quality of life of AI/ANs. In FY 2023, the budget includes $6.3 billion in the Services account, an increase of $1.6 billion above FY 2022 enacted. These increases will expand access to programs that provide essential health services and community-based disease prevention and promotion in tribal communities. This funding will support additional direct patient care services across the IHS system, including inpatient, outpatient, ambulatory care, dental care, and medical support services, such as laboratory, pharmacy, nutrition, behavioral health services, and physical therapy.”

Chart from the Budget Book with Projected Funding for IHS

From President Biden’s Strengthening America’s Public Health Infrastructure section in the Budget, it states the following, “Guarantees Adequate and Stable Funding for the Indian Health Service (IHS). The Budget significantly increases IHS’s funding over time, and shifts it from discretionary to mandatory funding. For the first year of the proposal, the Budget includes $9.1 billion in mandatory funding, an increase of $2.9 billion above 2021. After that, IHS funding would automatically grow to keep pace with healthcare costs and population growth and gradually close longstanding service and facility shortfalls. Providing IHS stable and predictable funding would improve access to high quality healthcare, rectify historical underfunding of the Indian Health system, eliminate existing facilities backlogs, address health inequities, and modernize IHS’ electronic health record system. This proposal has been informed by consultations with tribal nations on the issue of IHS funding and will be refined based on ongoing consultation.”

Tribal Consultation Included as a Priority

According to the Budget, Tribal Consultation and Reconvening the White House Council on Native American Affairs was also included as priority. In his first days in office, the President issued a memorandum making it a priority of his Administration to make respect for Tribal sovereignty and self-governance, commitment to fulfilling Federal trust and treaty responsibilities to Tribal Nations, and regular, meaningful, and robust consultation with Tribal Nations cornerstones of Federal Indian policy. Since then, the Administration has been regularly meeting with Tribal Nations on a range of Administration priorities, from implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to drafting the President’s Budget.

Background and Next Steps

The Appropriations Committees will review the President’s Budget for consideration as they craft their bills for FY23. NCUIH has requested $949.9 million for FY23 for urban Indian health with at least $49.8 billion for the Indian Health Service in accordance with the Tribal Budget Formulation Workgroup (TBFWG) recommendations. NCUIH will continue to work with the Biden Administration and Congress to push for full funding of urban Indian health in FY 2023.

Overview of Budget Request

The budget request includes the following for American Indians/Alaska Natives:

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

  • The Budget requests $127.3 billion in discretionary funding for HHS, a $26.9 billion or 26.8 percent increase from the 2021 enacted level.

Indian Health Service

  • $9.1 billion in mandatory funding for the Indian Health Service (IHS) for the first year, an increase of $2.9 billion above FY 2021 and $40.7 billion less than requested by the TBFWG.
  • Ending HIV and Hepatitis C in Indian Country ($52 million): Provides $47 million above FY 2022 enacted to enhance access to HIV testing, promote linkages to care, provide treatment, and reduce the spread of HIV 37 Indian Health Service Indian Health Service through the prescribing of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Funds will also support enhanced surveillance and data infrastructure to better track HIV, Hepatitis C, and sexually transmitted diseases through Tribal Epidemiology Centers.
  • Addressing Opioid Use ($20 million): Provides $9 million above FY 2022 enacted to enhance existing activities to provide prevention, treatment, and recovery services to address the impact of opioid use in AI/AN communities. This includes activities to increase knowledge and use of culturally appropriate interventions and encourage the use of medication-assisted treatment.

Maternal Health and Health Equity

  • The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations, and rates are disproportionately high for Black and American Indian and Alaska Native women. The Budget includes $470 million to: reduce maternal mortality and morbidity rates; expand maternal health initiatives in rural communities; implement implicit bias training for healthcare providers; create pregnancy medical home demonstration projects; and address the highest rates of perinatal health disparities, including by supporting the perinatal health workforce. The Budget also extends and increases funding for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program, which serves approximately 71,000 families at risk for poor maternal and child health outcomes each year, and is proven to reduce disparities in infant mortality. To address the lack of data on health disparities and further improve access to care, the Budget strengthens collection and evaluation of health equity data. Recognizing that maternal mental health conditions are the most common complications of pregnancy and childbirth, the Budget continues to support the maternal mental health hotline and the screening and treatment for maternal mental depression and related behavioral disorders.
  • Improving Maternal Health ($10 million): Provides $4 million above FY 2022 enacted to improve maternal health in AI/AN communities. Funding supports preventive, perinatal, and postpartum care; addresses the needs of pregnant women with opioid or substance use disorder; and advances the quality of services provided to improve health outcomes and reduce maternal morbidity.

Department of the Interior (DOI)

  • The Budget requests $17.5 billion in discretionary funding for DOI, a $2.8 billion or 19.3 percent

increase from the 2021 enacted level.

    • $4.5 billion for the DOIs Tribal programs, a $1.1 billion increase above the 2021 enacted level.
    • $632 million in Tribal Public Safety and Justice funding at DOI, which collaborates closely with the Department of Justice, including on continued efforts to address the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons.

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)

  • The Budget proposes to reclassify Contract Support Costs and Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 Section 105(l) leases as mandatory spending.
  • Contract Support Costs: Contract Support Costs are the necessary and reasonable costs associated with administering the contracts and compacts through which tribes assume direct responsibility for IHS programs and services. These are costs for activities the tribe must carry out to ensure compliance with the contract but are normally not carried out by IHS in its direct operation of the program. The budget proposes to fully fund Contract Support Costs at an estimated $1.1 billion through an indefinite mandatory appropriation to support these costs in FY 2023. The indefinite mandatory appropriation grows with inflation and is maintained across the 10-year budget window to ensure Contract Support Costs continue to be fully funded each year.
  • Tribal Leases: The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act requires compensation for reasonable operating costs associated with facilities leased or owned by tribes and tribal organizations to carry out health programs under the Act. In FY 2023, the budget proposes to fully fund section 105(l) leases, or tribal leases, at an estimated $150 million through an indefinite mandatory appropriation. The indefinite mandatory appropriation grows with inflation and is maintained across the 10-year budget window to ensure section 105(l) leases continue to be fully funded each year.

Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)

  • $156 million increase to support construction work at seven Bureau of Indian Education schools, providing quality facilities for culturally appropriate education with high academic standards.
  • $7 million for the Federal Boarding School Initiative.
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NCUIH Joins NIHB and 70 Organizations Calling on Congress to include $8 Billion for IHS in FY 2022 and Advance Appropriations

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On March 9, 2022, the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) joined the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), and over 70 Tribal nations, Tribal and national Indian organizations, and friends of Indian health in sending a series of joint letters to Congress amid their final negotiations of an omnibus appropriations bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022. The recommendations for reauthorization outlined in the letter include:

  • No less than the House-passed level of $8.114 billion for the Indian Health Service (IHS) in the final Appropriations bill for FY 2022
  • Advance Appropriations for the Indian Health Service (IHS)

The House-passed funding level would be an increase of $1.88 billion over the FY 2021 enacted level. The Senate Appropriations Committee FY 2022 funding bill included $6.6 billion in Advance Appropriations for IHS FY 2023.

Letters to Congress:

 

Background and Advocacy

NCUIH has long advocated for larger investments in AI/AN health care and has called on Congress to strengthen their commitment to Indian Country with increased funding in the FY 2022 appropriations:

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American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Native American Child Health Seeking Nominees for Four Psychologists for Pediatric Consultation Visits

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The American Psychological Association (APA) recently issued an invitation for four (4) psychologist self-nominations to participate in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Native American Child Health (CONACH) pediatric consultation visits. The AAP CONACH develops policies and programs that improve the health of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children and advocates for AI/AN child health. The CONACH also conducts pediatric consultations visits to Indian Health Services and Tribal health facilities. Psychologists selected will also participate in the APA Advisory Group, which consists of APA staff from multiple APA offices (Practice; Public Interest; Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI); and Advocacy; as well as representation from the Society of Indian Psychologists).

Nominees must submit the completed application materials to the APA Advisory Group (ohcf@apa.org) by Monday April 4, 2022. NCUIH encourages eligible UIO psychologists to apply because of the unique psychological needs of urban AI/AN children and the culturally focused care that UIOs provide the AI/AN community generally.  Questions should be e-mailed to ohcf@apa.org.

Background and Call to Action

In an effort to further the APA’s commitment to dismantle systemic racism, the CONACH offers expertise to individuals and groups concerned about the issues facing AI/AN children.  CONACH Committee members maintain contact with tribal, urban, and Indian Health Service (IHS) programs, and keep up with important changes, legislation, and regulations that affect AI/AN health in general and AI/AN child health. By participating in CONACH and pediatric consultation visits, psychologists will facilitate the development and expansion of integrating psychological practice in AI/AN communities to address social determinates of health and health inequities.

In order to strengthen representation, and come to solutions that are culturally appropriate, the APA is seeking four psychologist nominees who can meet the following needs and expectations:

  • Indigenous licensed pediatric/child psychologist and/or experience practicing in hospital or ambulatory practice settings serving AI/AN children and their communities
  • Familiarity and/or expertise with relevant government or clinical initiatives in tribal health, urban Indian health or IHS programs
  • Ability to meet deadlines and respond to issues and requests promptly
  • Excellent written and public speaking skills
  • Geographic representation from any state with significant AI/AN communities, and/or AI/AN heritage
  • Time to devote to the pediatric consultation visits that CONACH requires. The pediatric consultation visits typically require 3-4 days with travel over a weekend, depending on the location of the consultation visit. Typically, psychologists would participate in one pediatric consultation visit per year, but there may be two required for 2022. The first visit would occur in May of 2022. Travel to the consultation will be covered by APA. Due to evolving nature of the public health emergency, site visits may be held virtually.
  • Time to devote to participation in the APA Advisory Group which will meet for 1 hour quarterly.
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NCUIH Submits Comments to DOI and DOJ on Executive Order on Improving the Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of MMIP

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On March 17, 2022, the National Council for Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) submitted comments to the Department of Interior (DOI) and Department of Justice (DOJ) in response to their joint Dear Tribal Leader letter dated February 7, 2022 seeking stakeholder input related to the policy directives outlined in Executive Order (E.O.) 14053 – Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP). NCUIH emphasized the importance of clear and consistent communication with urban Indian organizations (UIOs) regarding the Agencies’ future plans to incorporate UIOs into the policies, procedures, and projects set forth in E.O. 14053 and also encouraged the Agencies to establish an Urban Confer policy.

E.O. 14053 Impact on Urban AI/AN Communities

E.O. 14053, signed by President Biden on November 15, 2021, directs the federal government to ““to strengthen public safety and criminal justice in Indian Country and beyond, to reduce violence against Native American people, and to ensure swift and effective Federal action that responds to the problem of missing or murdered indigenous people.”  E.O. 14053 committed the federal government’s to “[c]onsistent engagement, commitment, and collaboration,” with AI/AN people and communities to “drive long-term improvement to public safety for all Native Americans.”  E.O. 14053 specifically directed the federal government to “build on existing strategies to identify solutions directed toward the particular needs of urban Native Americans,” because “approximately 70 percent of  American Indian and Alaska Natives live in urban areas and part of this epidemic of violence is against Native American people in urban areas.”  In addition, E.O. 14053 directed the federal government to “work closely with Tribal leaders and community members, Urban Indian Organizations, and other interested parties to support prevention and intervention efforts that will make a meaningful and lasting difference on the ground.”  To that end, in a November 15, 2021 memorandum, Deputy Attorney General Monaco directed DOJ’s Steering Committee to seek and consider the views of stakeholders including Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs).

The E.O. also included the following directions to various federal agencies to collaborate with urban AI/AN communities:

  • Section 4
    • Directs DOJ, DOI, and HHS to “sustain efforts to improve data collection and information-sharing practices, conduct outreach and training, and promote accurate and timely access to information services regarding crimes or threats against Native Americans, including in urban areas.”
    • Directs DOJ, DOI, and HHS to “develop a strategy for ongoing analysis of data collected on violent crime and missing persons involving Native Americans, including in urban Indian communities.”
    • Directs HHS to “evaluate the adequacy of research and data collection efforts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health in accurately measuring the prevalence and effects of violence against Native Americans, especially those living in urban areas.”
  • Section 5
    • Instructs HHS, “in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and Tribal Nations and after conferring with other agencies, researchers, and community-based organizations supporting indigenous wellbeing, including Urban Indian Organizations,” to “develop a comprehensive plan to support prevention efforts that reduce risk factors for victimization of Native Americans and increase protective factors, including by enhancing the delivery of services for Native American victims and survivors, as well as their families and advocates

NCUIH’s Role

NCUIH has consistently advocated for urban AI/AN communities to be included when addressing public safety and MMIP in an effort to strengthen critical services provided by UIOs for AI/ANs.  In furtherance of that advocacy, NCUIH’s comments in response to the Dear Tribal Leader Letter highlighted the critical importance of UIOs in addressing and combating the epidemics of MMIP crisis and violent crime against AI/ANs. NCUIH made the following recommendations and requests to the DOI and DOJ:

  • NCUIH requests that the Agencies honor E.O. 14053 through consistent and clear communication with UIOs
  • NCUIH requests that the Agencies provide specific information regarding their future plans to incorporate UIOs into the policies, procedures, and projects set forth in E.O. 14053
  • NCUIH requests that Urban Indian Organizations receive formal notice of future consultations on E.O. 14053
  • NCUIH request that the Agencies establish an Urban Confer policy to set the necessary policies and procedures for direct and clear communication with UIOs

NCUIH also attended consultations on March 11, 2022, hosted by DOI, and March 17, 2022, hosted by DOJ, on behalf of the UIOs it represents.  In these consultations Chandos Culleen, NCUIH’s Director of Federal Relations, provided additional oral comments stressing the need for the Agencies to work with UIOs to address the crises of MMIP and violent crime against AI/AN people.  Mr. Culleen emphasized that these epidemics also affect urban AI/AN communities and that UIOs are already engaged in providing critical services to combat MMIP and violent crime.  UIOs are critical service providers who can help bridge Tribal, State, local, and Federal efforts to ensure that all AI/ANs are accounted for when combatting MMIP and public safety issues. NCUIH will continue to closely monitor and advocate for urban AI/ANs on this topic.

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NCUIH Submits Comments to DOJ OVC on the Tribal and Victims Services Set-Aside

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On March 15, 2022 the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) submitted comments to the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office for Victims of Crimes (OVC) in response to their December 13, 2021 correspondence seeking written comment on the Tribal Set-Aside from the Crime Victims Fund (Tribal Set-Aside) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022. The Tribal Victim Services Set-Aside Formula grant program (TVSSA Program) is a key source of funding for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities working to enhance services for victims of crime, with over $532 million made available through FYs 18, 19, 20, and 21. NCUIH emphasized the critical services urban Indian organizations (UIOs) provide victims of crime and the importance of extending more funding opportunities for UIO.

NCUIH’s Role

Because many AI/AN victims of crime reside off reservations and because many seek care from Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs), NCUIH made the following specific comments, requests, and recommendations:

  • DOJ should provide Congress with technical assistance to support expansion of the Tribal Set-Aside and TVSSA Program to include UIOs.  Expansion of the percentage of the Tribal Set-Aside should be commensurate with inclusion of UIOs to ensure that funding to Tribes from the Tribal Set-Aside is not reduced.
  • OVC should formally invite UIOs to all future events in the TVSSA program consultation process.
    • OVC, and DOJ more broadly, should consider adopting an Urban Confer Policy.
  • OVC must ensure that all AI/ANs are served by its funding opportunities by expanding its definition of eligible awardees for all programs to the broadest extent permissible by law.

NCUIH will continue to closely follow the DOJ OVC policies and opportunities for AI/AN communities. NCUIH will also continue to advocate for more funding opportunities for UIOs that provide services to victims of crimes.

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NCUIH Submits Comments to HRSA Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality

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On March 10, 2022, the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) submitted comments to the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality (ACIMM). The comments were submitted in advance of the ACIMM’s March 15-16 meeting focusing on program updates, race-concordant care, health of Indigenous mothers and babies, and the impact of violence on infant and maternal mortality. In the comments, NCUIH reiterated the need for an Urban Confer policy at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the importance of collaborating with urban Indian organizations (UIOs) for accurate data collection. NCUIH also recommended that the ACIMM include a Tribal and UIO representative among the ACIMM’s membership and create an ACIMM subcommittee on American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) infant and maternal health disparities.

The Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality

Formed in 1991, the ACIMM advises the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) on department activities, partnerships, policies, and programs directed at reducing infant mortality, maternal mortality and sever maternal morbidity, and improving the health status of infants and women before, during, and after pregnancy. The ACIMM consists of public and private members and provides advice on how to coordinate governmental efforts to improve infant mortality, related adverse birth outcomes, and maternal health, as well as influence similar efforts in the private and voluntary sectors. With its focus on underlying causes of the disparities and inequities seen in birth outcomes for women and infants, the ACIMM advises the Secretary on the health, social, economic, and environmental factors contributing to the inequities and proposes structural, policy, and/or systems level changes.

American Indian and Alaska Native Infant and Maternal Mortality

According to HHS Office of Minority Health AI/ANs have almost twice the infant mortality rate as non-Hispanic whites. AI/AN infants are also 2.7 times more likely than non-Hispanic white infants to die from accidental deaths before the age of one year and AI/AN infants are 50 percent more likely to die from complications related to low birthweights as compared to the same group. AI/AN mothers are also disproportionately represented in maternal mortality. In 2019, AI/AN mothers were almost three times as likely to receive late or no prenatal care as compared to non-Hispanic white mothers.

NCUIH’s Role

NCUIH has engaged in extensive advocacy on behalf of AI/AN mothers and infants and for increased funding and support to the UIOs which provide maternal health, infant health, prenatal, and family planning services to AI/AN mothers and infants.  In its comments to the ACIMM, NCUIH made the following recommendations:

  • Advise the Secretary of HHS (Secretary) to lead the establishment of an Urban Confer policy to ensure that urban AI/ANs can provide pertinent guidance to HHS on department activities, partnerships, policies, and programs directed at reducing infant and maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and improving the health status of infants and women before, during, and after pregnancy.
  • Advise the Secretary to collaborate with UIOs to gather accurate data on urban AI/AN infant and maternal health
  • Improve AI/AN representation on the ACIMM by including a tribal and UIO health provider representative on the ACIMM to complement the work of the standing IHS ex-officio member
    • NCUIH recommends that there be two seats, a Tribal and a UIO seat, so that ACIMM can receive a variety of viewpoints regarding the provision of health care to diverse AI/AN communities
  • Create an ACIMM subcommittee dedicated to addressing AI/AN infant and maternal health disparities

In addition to submitting comments, NCUIH attended the ACIMM’s session on the health of Indigenous mothers and babies.  During this session Alexandra Payan, NCUIH’s Federal Relations Associate, connected with several ACIMM members regarding their interest in improving AI/AN maternal and infant health.  NCUIH will continue to closely follow the ACIMM’s important work on AI/AN mothers and infants and seek opportunities for collaboration.

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NCUIH Signs on to Letter Urging Reauthorization of Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program with Tribal Set-Aside Increase

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Last week, the National Council of Urban Indian Health signed-on to a letter to Congress led by the National Home Visiting Coalition in support of the reauthorization of the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV). The recommendations for reauthorization outlined in the letter include:

  • Increase MIECHV funding over the next five years to reach more families and better support the workforce
  • Double the Tribal MIECHV set-aside from three to six percent
  • Continue to allow virtual home visits with model fidelity as an option for service delivery
Read the Full Letter
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NCUIH Submits Written Testimony to House Interior Appropriations with FY23 Budget Requests for Urban Indian Health

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The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) submitted written testimony for Tribal Public Witnesses to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies regarding Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 funding for Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs). On January 28, 2022, the Subcommittee Chair and Ranking Member requested information from “Indian Country on issues and needs” that is used to develop the annual appropriations bill.

NCUIH advocated in its testimony for additional resources for the Indian Health Service and urban Indian Health.

In the testimony, NCUIH requested the following:

  • $48 billion for the Indian Health Service and $950 million for Urban Indian Health for FY23 (as requested by the Tribal Budget Formulation Workgroup)
  • Advance appropriations for IHS
  • UIOs be insulated from unrelated budgetary disputes through a spend faster anomaly so that critical funding is not halted

NCUIH reiterated, “The federal government owes a trust responsibility to tribes and AI/ANs that is not restricted to the borders of reservations. Funding for Indian health must be significantly increased if the federal government is, to finally, and faithfully, fulfill its trust responsibility.”

NEXT STEPS:

The testimony will be read and considered by the subcommittee as the appropriations process goes forward for FY23. The Subcommittee has not yet announced dates for the hearings on the FY 23 budget.

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Department of Veterans Affairs Seeks Comments on Tribal Representation Expansion Project and Designation of Individuals to Represent AI/AN Veterans in VA Benefit Claims

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On February 14, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released a notice of Tribal consultation regarding the VA’s Tribal Representation Expansion Project (T.REP). Through this consultation and an additional written comment period, VA is seeking comments on three general areas.  First, whether Tribal communities have access to representation for VA benefit claims.  Second, for Tribes that are underserved in terms of representation, VA is also seeking comments regarding whether their Tribal government is interested in collaborating with VA to designate an individual within the community as authorized to prepare, present, and prosecute VA benefit claims.  Third, VA is seeking comments and recommendations on any issues, concerns or processes Tribes believe should be addressed in T.REP to better ensure that it is successful in expanding access to representation for AI/N veterans on their benefit claims before VA.

In addition to these general areas, VA has posed the following seven questions to be addressed through written comments:

  1. Are Native American Veterans in your community receiving any Start Printed Page 8343 assistance in pursuing their VA benefit claims? Are they being represented before VA on their VA benefit claims? Who is providing those services? For example, those claims services may be provided by: (a) A person employed by the Tribal government; (b) a member of your Tribe or Tribal community; (c) a VA-recognized organization or a representative of a VA-recognized organization; or (d) an agent or attorney. Please provide details as to the extent of the assistance provided and whom we may credit if your Tribal community currently has access to benefit claims assistance and/or representation before VA.
  2. If Veterans within your Tribal community have access to representation for their VA benefit claims, do you consider the option(s) for representation to be culturally competent representation? Please explain.
  3. If Veterans and their families within your Tribal community are not being adequately represented on their VA benefit claims, is there someone employed by, or affiliated, with your Tribal government that is currently, or could be, positioned to serve Veterans? For example, such individual may currently be serving Veterans and their families as a Tribal Veterans Service Officer (TVSO) or as a Tribal Veterans Representative (TVR).
  4. Are there barriers to Veterans and their family members within your Tribal community in accessing representation on their VA claims? For example, barriers may include: (a) Location or environmental obstacles; (b) language difficulties; (c) cultural differences; (d) distrust of the Federal or State government; (e) difficulties in finding training; (f) difficulties in securing office equipment and internet services; or (g) other circumstances.
  5. Do you believe that your Tribal government may want to collaborate with VA to identify someone affiliated with your government to be authorized to represent Veterans and their families on benefit claims before VA?
  6. Are you interested in being contacted by VA’s Office of General Counsel to learn more about the project?
  7. Are there issues, concerns, or processes that should be addressed in T. REP so that the project functions effectively in support of access to representation for Native American Veterans within your Tribal government and/or community? If so, how do you recommend VA address those matters in this project?

VA will be holding a virtual tribal consultation session on March 23, 2022, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). Written comments may also be submitted to VA by March 30, 2022. Written comments may be submitted by email to tribalgovernmentconsultation@va.gov, as well as through other methods listed in the Federal Register Notice.  To access the virtual consultation session, participants must register by clicking here.

Background

There is an urgent need to ensure that all AI/AN veterans have access to the benefits they earned through their service.  According to a 2020 VA Report, AI/AN veterans served in the Pre-9/11 period at a higher percentage than veterans of other races.  Despite a distinguished record of service, VA’s statistics also show that AI/AN veterans were more likely to be unemployed, were more likely to lack health insurance, and were more likely to have a service-connected disability when compared to veterans of other races.  In addition, in Fiscal Year 2017, AI/AN veterans used Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) benefits or services at a lower percentage than veterans of other races.

In 2017, VA amended its regulations governing recognition of organizations permitted to provide assistance on VA benefit claims in 2017 to permit the VA Secretary to recognize Tribal organizations in a similar manner as state organizations.  VA also amended its regulation to allow employees of Tribal governments to become accredited through recognized State organizations in a similar manner as a County Veterans’ Service Officer.  Despite a request that VA amend its regulations to also recognize UIOs, VA declined to do so.  VA stated that UIOs should consider applying for VA recognition as a regional or local organization.

VA’s T.REP represents VA’s most recent effort to ensure that AI/AN veterans and their families have access to appropriate representation in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of their VA benefit claims. The aim of this program is to focus on Tribal communities that are being underserved in terms of representation. VA’s current T.REP focus is collaborating with Tribal governments to identify “an individual who is affiliated with their government, is of good character and reputation, and, who, after proper training on VA benefits, would be fit to be authorized by the VA General Counsel to represent on VA benefit claims.”  According to VA, if a tribal government identifies such a person “[t]he General Counsel then plans to use his discretionary authority, pursuant to 38 CFR 14.630, to specially authorize such individuals to prepare, present, and prosecute VA benefit claims before VA.”

Inclusion of UIOs in T.REP Would Benefit AI/ANs living in Urban Areas

NCUIH encourages UIOs to submit comments to VA by March 30, 2022 concerning T.REP, the needs of AI/AN veterans living in urban areas, and whether VA should consider including UIOs in T.REP.  AI/AN veterans living in urban areas face many of the same barriers to accessing competent representation in VA claims that AI/AN veterans face on reservations.  For example, VA cites cultural and language barriers as being two of the main deterrents for AI/AN veterans seeking representation on VA benefit claims.  AI/AN veterans living in urban areas also face cultural and language barriers when searching out representation on their claims.

Further, current estimates show that 67 percent of the veteran population identifying as AI/AN alone lives in metropolitan areas. UIOs currently serve six of the ten urban counties with the largest veteran AI/AN alone populations, including Maricopa County, Arizona; Los Angeles County, California; San Diego County, California; Bernalillo County, New Mexico; Oklahoma County, Oklahoma; and Tulsa County, Oklahoma. AI/AN veterans regularly prefer to see UIOs over other health care providers thanks to the provision of culturally competent care (including traditional healing services), community and familial relationships, shorter wait times, and shorter distance to travel.  Given the large portion of the AI/AN veteran population living in urban areas and UIOs’ ability to reach AI/AN veterans, inclusion of UIOs in T.REP would help VA accomplish its goal of “ensur[ing] that Native American Veterans and their families have access to responsible, qualified representation in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of their benefit claims before VA.”

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