Congressional Health Package Proposes Reauthorizing Special Diabetes for Indians for Two Years with an Increase to $200 Million, Community Health Clinics Reauthorization for 2 Years
Today, the long-awaited proposed final health package from Congress has been released. The proposal is currently considered to be “leaked” text and changes are possible before passage.
The proposal includes a two-year reauthorization of the Special Diabetes Program for Indians at $149.58 million from Jan 1, 2025, to September 30, 2025, and $200 million for FY2026. The Special Diabetes Program for Indians was historically funded at approximately $150 million for nearly 20 years, and this would represent a significant step forward for the program. Tribal leaders and the National Indian Health Board, along with Urban Indian Organizations and the National Council of Urban Indian Health, have fought tirelessly to increase resources for the highly successful program.
The proposal includes an extension of funding for Community Health Centers at $3.4 billion from January 1, 2025, to September 30, 2025, and $4.6 billion for FY2026. The text also contains the Supporting America’s Children and Families Act (H.R. 9076) which reauthorizes child welfare programs and strengthens the State and Tribal child support enforcement program and includes a 3% Tribal set-aside.
Despite bipartisan support and advocacy from Native and non-Native organizations, the Urban Indian Health Parity Act, which provides 100% Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for services at Urban Indian Organizations, was not included in the proposed package.
The deal on health care was reached through bipartisan efforts and is expected to be included in a continuing resolution. The package also contains provisions on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), hospital costs, telehealth, and other health extenders. The full and final continuing resolution text is forthcoming; however, flat funding is expected across the board and will likely run until March 14, 2025. Flat funding amounts would be $6.96 billion for the Indian Health Service (IHS) and $90.4 million for Urban Indian Health. The measure will need to be voted on by December 20 to avoid a government shutdown, however Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) and portions of IHS are protected by advance appropriations.
NCUIH will continue to analyze the 553-page text and provide further updates.
