Thank You for Making our NCUIH 2017 Washington Summit a Success!

/0 Comments/in /by

To Our Summit Attendees,

Thank you so much for making our NCUIH Washington Summit an absolute success! We truly appreciate everyone’s support and participation and hope that you were able to take something away from the Summit. A few friendly reminders:

1. Summit Survey: Please fill out the Summit survey if you haven’t already. This can help provide NCUIH with valuable information on how we can better serve you moving forward. Please find the survey here: http://www.ncuih.org/2017_nls

2. Presentations! The NCUIH Washington Summit Presentations have been posted. Please click here: http://www.ncuih.org/2017_nls

3. Keep in touch! Let us know how you put the lessons you learned in the sessions to work! The end of the Summit just means our real work has begun. Be on the lookout for our new testimony on SDPI, which reflects the issues and concerns of several NCUIH members. We’re working on a similar statement on our infrastructure needs, which would benefit enormously from your input. And we’re going to be sending out materials and holding webinars in the near future on how NCUIH members can move our agenda forward. If your program didn’t have time to participate in the Summit, don’t worry because there’s plenty of ways you can help NCUIH.

Have any other feedback or questions? Feel free to email me at FCrevier@NCUIH.org. Thanks again!

Sincerely,

Francys Crevier
Director of Governmental Affairs

National Council of Urban Indian Health Supports the Affordable Care Act in Light of the 2016 Presidential Elections

/0 Comments/in /by

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 16, 2016

Contact: Francys Crevier

NCUIH Policy Analyst and Congressional Relations Liaison
FCrevier@NCUIH.org

 

Washington, D.C.  – The 2016 Presidential election results have created panic among those in the healthcare industry, as the new administration states they will repeal all or much of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) reaffirms its mission to fight for quality and access to healthcare for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN).

The National Council of Urban Indian Health was founded 18 years ago to represent the interests of Urban Indian Health Programs (UIHPs) before Congress and Federal agencies, and to influence policies impacting the health conditions experienced by urban American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN).The National Council of Urban Indian Health is a 501(c)(3), membership-based organization devoted to support the development of quality, accessible, and culturally sensitive health care programs for AI/AN living in urban communities.  NCUIH fulfills its mission by serving as a resource center providing advocacy, education, training, and leadership for urban Indian health care providers.  NCUIH strives for healthy American Indians and Alaska Natives living in urban settings, which comprise over 70% of the AI/AN population, supported by quality, accessible health care centers and governed by leaders in the Indian community.

The National Council of Urban Indian Health stands firm in representing the health and welfare of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) and recognizes the Indian Healthcare Improvement Act is at risk under the new administration, as well as the Affordable Care Act. NCUIH is working with our partners to ensure the protection of these laws that have not only permanently reauthorized the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, but also the AI/AN provisions that are included in them that aid in facilitating the trust responsibility.

NCUIH will be working side by side with our Tribal partners to protect the healthcare trust responsibility that AI/AN were promised. We are stronger together.  For questions, comments or concerns, feel free to contact NCUIH Policy Analyst and Congressional Relations Liaison Francys Crevier at FCrevier@NCUIH.org.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hosts Tribal Consultation at the National Museum of the American Indian

/0 Comments/in /by

On September 28, 2016 the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) held an in-person Tribal consultation session at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC to discuss amending the current VA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) status to consolidate multiple community care programs, previously known as non-VA care, into one standard program with standard rates. The meeting was announced on September 12, 2016 through a Dear Tribal Leader Letter. NCUIH Board member Kerry Lessard and NCUIH Policy Analyst and Congressional Relations Liaison Francys Crevier emphasized the need to work with the VA to allow Urban Indian Health Programs the ability to have MOUs to better serve Native veterans. These MOUs would reimburse UIHPs for services provided to Native veterans who often prefer going to a UIHP for service rather than the VA because of shorter wait times and culturally competent care.

During the consultation, Tribal Leaders emphasized that the VA to fully implement the VA-IHS Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was implemented in 2012.  Many Tribal leaders expressed their disappointment of the MOU process taking over four years for approval, and others were concerned that VA’s consolidation plan would end  the current IHS/Tribal – VA MOU structure and would result a lengthier process and would most importantly infringe on the government-to-government relationship with the federal government.

At the National Indian Health Board’s conference in Scottsdale last month, the VA hosted a workshop on the MOU process. When the Ms. Crevier requested that the VA work with UIHPs as an integral part of the Indian Health system, the VA responded there was no need to work with UIHPs because there are VA offices in urban areas. NCUIH vehemently disagrees and strongly suggested that because of shorter wait times and cultural competency as well as the vital support UIHPs can bring to the VA, MOUs are necessary. A recent report from the Office of Inspector General showed that 215 VA patients died waiting for specialty care at the Phoenix VA, while Native Health, the Phoenix UIHP, resides in the same neighborhood and is willing to help alleviate that burden. Working together is the only way to make sure veterans do not fall through the cracks.

Tribal Consultation on the VA’s plan for consolidation is open until November 5, 2016. Click here to view the Federal Register Notice and submit comments.