In this Edition:

Questions for UIOs: Request for Input and Feedback
Senate Confirms Mark Cruz as Indian Health Service Director
Federal Leaders Visit Arizona UIOs
Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) Updates
New NCUIH Medicaid Resources
Fiscal Year 2027 Appropriations Status and Updates
NCUIH Speaks at Congressional Briefing Launching the Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act
NCUIH Endorses Bill to Improve Public Health Emergency Preparedness for Indian Health Care Providers
Submitted Federal Comments (H.R. 1 Implementation and Special Diabetes Program for Indians Funding) and Upcoming Comment Opportunities
Upcoming Events, Policy Dates, and Funding Opportunities

Questions for UIOs: Request for Input and Feedback

Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP): NCUIH is gathering UIO experiences with RHTP and requests that Urban Indian Organizations let NCUIH know if their organization receives funding and how you are engaging with your state. More information on the Rural Health Transformation Fund is available on the NCUIH Policy Resource Center Webpage.
Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) 25% Supplemental Funding:IHS announced that current SDPI grant recipients will receive a Calendar Year 2026 administrative grant supplement totaling 25% of their annual SDPI grant award using one-time, unobligated funding. Have any UIO SDPI grantees received their supplemental funding?
UIO Listening Session with the Indian Health Service (IHS) Division of Behavioral Health (DBH): NCUIH is facilitating a virtual UIO listening session with IHS DBH on September 17, 2026, at 1:00 PM ET. Register at ncuih.org/events. Please let us know any questions you have for DBH, behavioral health challenges and successes at your UIO, and topics you want covered during the session.

Responses can be sent to policy@ncuih.org.

Senate Confirms Mark Cruz as Indian Health Service Director

On August 7, 2026, the Senate confirmed Mark Cruz, a citizen of the Klamath Tribes, as Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS). NCUIH submitted questions for the record ahead of his June 24 nomination hearing, including on IHS’s role in supporting Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) and efforts to secure 100% Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for UIOs.

NCUIH will continue to engage with Director Cruz and IHS on priorities including full and stable funding for IHS including urban Indian health, Medicaid parity for UIOs, and investments in Native behavioral health programs.

[Read the full Blog Post]

Federal Leaders Visit Arizona UIOs

Dr. Caprice Knapp (CMS), Erin Tawney (HHS), and other agency representatives visited the NATIVE HEALTH Phoenix clinic alongside Native American Connections and NCUIH. The visit highlighted how UIOs are transforming Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage into improved health outcomes for Native communities.

NCUIH also joined the HHS Administration for Native Americans (ANA) and Pew Charitable Trusts in a visit to Native American Connections to see firsthand how UIOs provide culturally responsive care to American Indian and Alaska Native people in urban settings.

We thank CMS, HHS, and Pew for joining us in showcasing the important role of Urban Indian Organizations in the Indian Health System.

Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) Updates

Current legislation:The bipartisan Urban Indian Health Parity Act (H.R. 4722) would provide 100% federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries at UIOs.

NCUIH Joined the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Tribal Technical Advisory Group in Hill Meetings on AI/AN Medicare and Medicaid Priorities, including 100% FMAP for UIOs.

On July 27, NCUIH joined the CMS Tribal Technical Advisory Group (TTAG) Hill Day to provide education on TTAG Medicare and Medicaid priorities, including 100% FMAP for UIOs.
Offices visited: Sens. Baldwin (D-WI), Smith (D-MN), Cassidy (R-LA, HELP Chair), Johnson (R-WI), Slotkin (D-MI), Peters (D-MI), Murkowski (R-AK), and Merkley (D-OR).

New NCUIH Medicaid Resources

On August 8, the Senate passed a continuing resolution (CR)by a vote of 90-6 that would fund the government through December 11. The CR:

Prevents implementation of the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) proposed grants rule through the duration of the CR; and
Extends authorizations of important health, veterans, infrastructure, and other programs for the duration of the CR.

Next Steps: The House returns from recess on August 31 and must act on the Senate’s version before the September 30 funding deadline. NCUIH will continue to work to protect funding for Indian Country.

NCUIH Joins Tribal Leaders and Senate Champions to Celebrate Introduction of the Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act

On July 23, NCUIH’s Board President Robyn Sunday-Allen (Cherokee Nation), who also serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic (OKCIC), spoke at the congressional briefing launching the Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act, introduced July 14 by Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Brian Schatz (D-HI).

[Read NCUIH’s press release on the event.]

This bi-partisan legislation would address longstanding challenges facing Native children and families across child welfare, education, health care, juvenile justice, housing, workforce development, nutrition, and data systems, and represents one of the most significant investments in Native children and families in a generation.

UIO inclusions in the bill:

Tribal Perinatal Workforce Demonstration Grants (Sec. 403): The section establishes a grant program for eligible entities to recruit, train, and retain maternity care providers, behavioral health providers, dietitians, doulas, and other perinatal health workers. Urban Indian organizations are named as eligible entities for the program.
HRSA Tribal Advisory Committee (Sec. 401): This new committee, composed of at least 12 members, would be appointed from nominations submitted by Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations.
SAMHSA Tribal Technical Advisory Committee (Sec. 404): Of at least 14 members, two seats are reserved for representatives of “national Tribal organizations or urban Indian organizations” with national expertise in behavioral health.
NIH Tribal Health Research Office and Tribal Advisory Committee (Sec. 301): The bill establishes a new Tribal Health Research Office within the Office of the Director of NIH, along with a Tribal Advisory Committee of at least 17 members. Notably, two of those seats are specifically reserved for representatives of urban Indian organizations.
Native Infant and Maternal Health Data (Sec. 302): The bill directs CDC to enter into cooperative agreements with Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, Tribal Epidemiology Centers, Papa Ola Lokahi, and urban Indian organizations to address misclassification and under sampling of Native infant and maternal health data.

[Read NCUIH’s analysis on the bill.]

NCUIH Endorses Bill to Improve Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) for Indian Health Care Providers

Introduced July 21 by Sen. Warren (D-MA), Sen. Heinrich (D-NM), Rep. Stansbury (D-NM-01), and Rep. Leger Fernández (D-NM-03), the CDC Tribal Public Health Security and Preparedness Act would allow Tribes to apply directly to CDC for Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) program funds.

Authorizes$750 millionfor each fiscal year, 2026 through 2028, for the PHEP program, 5% Tribal set-aside.
UIOs are included in several consultation provisions that would ensure they are included in crafting public health plans.

[Read NCUIH’s analysis on the bill.]

NCUIH Submits Comments to CMS on Interim Final Rule on H.R. 1 Implementation

On July 31, NCUIH submitted comments on the CMS interim final rule on H.R. 1 implementation. In its comments, NCUIH encouraged CMS to provide clear guidance and support for implementation of the American Indian and Alaska Native Medicaid provisions, promote collaboration with UIOs, Tribes, and Tribal Organizations, strengthen oversight and data collection efforts, and ensure meaningful engagement with UIOs.

NCUIH Submits Comments to IHS on Additional Special Diabetes Program for Indians Funding

IHS requested feedback on $70 million in additional Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) funding — $50 million from the Fiscal Year 2026 funding increase and $20 million in one-time unobligated SDPI funding. In its comments, NCUIH encouraged IHS to provide flexibility in the use of funding, promote local decision-making, engage with Tribes and UIOs, and allow sufficient time for feedback.

Comment Opportunity — Due September 5: IHS Health Information Technology Modernization: Roadmap to Cohorts

On August 6, IHS held a Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer session on Health Information Technology (HIT) Modernization: Roadmap to Cohorts. Formation of Cohort 1 for implementing the Patients at the Heart (PATH) electronic health record (EHR) is dependent on funding, but IHS is envisioning two federal sites and one Tribal site.

IHS is seeking responses to:

What additional information or content would be helpful to determine readiness at your site?
What questions do you have about requirements or level commitment needed to support PATH EHR implementation?
What questions or recommendations do you have regarding the cohort identification process?

Comments are due to IHS by September 5, 2026.

Email Urban Confer comments to: urbanconfer@ihs.gov

Upcoming Events and Policy Dates

September 1-3: NCUIH UIO Focus Groups — Setting Policy Priorities for 2027 (ncuih.org/events)

September 1: Full Ambulatory | 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET; Outpatient and Residential | 3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
September 2: Limited Ambulatory | 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET; Outreach and Referral | 3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
September 3: Make-Up Session | 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET

September 15-16: IHS Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee (TLDC) Quarterly Meeting (virtual)

September 15-17: National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Tribal Impact Days (Washington, D.C.)

September 16: NCUIH Monthly Policy Workgroup and IHS DBH Prep Session for UIOs (virtual)

September 17: NCUIH and IHS DBH Listening Session (virtual – register at ncuih.org/events) | 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET

Current Funding Opportunities

Visit the NCUIH Website to apply and explore the Full List of Opportunities.

HHS Administration for Native Americans (ANA): AI3 Action Institute — Artificial Intelligence for American Indians (AI3)

Urban Indian Organizations are eligible.
The award is $3,500,000 total (single award).
The application deadline is August 27, 2026.

HHS ANA: National Center for Native Training and Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreement

Urban Indian Organizations are eligible.
The award is $3,100,000 total (single award) over a 3-year project period.
The application deadline is August 27, 2026.

HHS ANA: Economic Advancement Grants for Local Empowerment (EAGLE)

Urban Indian Organizations are eligible.
The award is up to $900,000 per project over a 3-year project period.
The application deadline is August 27, 2026.

Indian Health Service Addressing Dementia in Tribal and Urban Indian Communities: CAReS Program

Urban Indian Organizations are eligible.
Option A offers up to $750,000 per year for five years to one national awardee to expand dementia care through mini-projects, training, and technical assistance.
Option B offers up to $300,000 per year for five years to one national awardee to develop a caregiver support and training center.
The application deadline is September 4, 2026.

Indian Health Service Fiscal Year 2026 Urban Emergency Fund (UEF)

The purpose of this fund is to help Urban Indian Organizations address costs associated with one-time, non-recurring emergencies and disaster relief efforts.
The award is a limited discretionary fund, with up to $250,000 available.
The application deadline is as soon as reasonably practicable after the emergency occurs.

About NCUIH

The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) is a national representative for the 41 Urban Indian Organizations contracting with the Indian Health Service under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. NCUIH is devoted to the support and development of high quality and accessible health and public health services for American Indian and Alaska Native people living in urban areas.

NCUIH respects and supports Tribal sovereignty and the unique government-to-government relationship between our Tribal Nations and the United States. NCUIH works to support those federal laws, policies, and procedures that respect and uplift Tribal sovereignty and the government-to-government relationship. NCUIH does not support any federal law, policy, or procedure that infringes upon or in any way diminishes Tribal sovereignty or the government-to-government relationship.

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