The Health Care Access for Urban Native Veterans Act has broad support across Indian Country.

Washington, DC (August 2, 2019)—Today, Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) and Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) introduced the Health Care Access for Urban Native Veterans Act (S. 2365) which would improve health care access for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) veterans by providing Department of Veterans Affairs coverage for care that AI/AN vets receive from Title V Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs). The legislation allows AI/AN veterans better access to culturally-competent care and alleviates burdens on the VA system. In addition to Udall and Khanna, the bill is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and U.S. Representatives Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Don Young (R-Alaska), Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), and Deb Haaland (D-N.M.).   

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) passed a resolution in July supporting this legislative fix to help UIOs have the resources to better serve AI/AN veterans. The bill is also supported by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and VoteVets.

“The Health Care Access for Urban Native Veterans Act is important legislation to ensuring that our veterans in urban areas are no longer left behind. Now, the Department of Veterans Affairs will have the explicit authority to reimburse the 41 Title V Urban Indian Organizations who are already providing critical resources for American Indian and Alaska Native veterans who have served the United States,” said NCUIH Executive Director Francys Crevier.

“The National Council of Urban Indian Health has made it a priority to ensure that Urban Indian Organizations are included in the IHS-VA MOU to help provide health care to American Indian and Alaska Native veterans. As a Native veteran myself, I understand the importance of coming home and knowing I have a safe space to receive care. Thank you to my own Representative Ro Khanna,  and we are grateful for the leadership of the 116th Congress in introducing this landmark legislation,” said NCUIH Vice President Sonya Tetnowski.

“At First Nations Community HealthSource, we never turn anyone – veteran or not – away. Native veterans in Albuquerque consider our facility a safe, accessible space to receive health care. With critical underfunding, this legislation would allow all Urban Indian Organizations to finally be reimbursed for the necessary care we already provide to our Native veterans,” said Linda Son-Stone, NCUIH Secretary Chief Executive Officer of First Nations Community HealthSource, an Urban Indian Organization and member of NCUIH.

The NCAI resolution states: “The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) urges Congress to pass legislation that amends the Indian Health Care Improvement Act at 25 U.S.C. §1645(c) to insert UIOs after IHS and Tribal Organizations and require VA to reimburse for services provided to AI/AN veterans at all of the IHS, Tribal, and urban (I/T/U) system, in order to protect the health and welfare of AI/AN veterans living in urban centers, thereby honoring their sacrifices.”

• View NCUIH one-pager on VA-IHS Memorandum of Understanding.
• The full text of the House legislation can be found HERE.
• Senate bill

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About the National Council of Urban Indian Health

The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) is the national organization devoted to the support and development of quality, accessible, and culturally-competent health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) living in urban settings. NCUIH envisions a nation where comprehensive, culturally competent personal and public health services are available and accessible to AI/ANs living in urban communities throughout the United States.  NCUIH is the only organization that represents all 41 Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) federally funded by the Indian Health Service.

Press Release from Rep. Ro Khanna

RELEASE: KHANNA, UDALL INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL BILL TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE ACCESS FOR NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS

August 2, 2019

Press Release

Bill will ensure equal access to culturally competent care for urban Native veterans in cities across the United States

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.), vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, announced introduction of the Health Care Access for Urban Native Veterans Act, a bill to improve health care access for Native American Veterans by providing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) coverage for care that Native American veterans receive at urban Indian health centers.  This legislation would help Native American veterans acquire culturally competent care, while at the same time helping relieve the burden on the VA system.

“Native Americans serve in the military at a higher rate than any other population, and over 70 percent of Native Americans live in urban areas. Urban Indian organizations, like the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley, fill a crucial gap in the health care system for Native Americans that do not have access to more remote facilities run by the Indian Health Service. To honor their service to the United States, we must ensure that Native veterans have access to the care that best fits their cultural and health needs,” said Rep. Khanna.

“We owe all veterans a debt for their service to our country, and this legislation will ensure more Native veterans have equal access to timely, culturally-competent care regardless of where they choose to live after leaving their military service. I am proud this bill continues my work toward equitable and effective health care for all Native communities,” said Senator Udall. 

The Indian Health Service (IHS) is the primary federal agency responsible for providing health care to Native Americans through a series of federally operated facilities, tribally run facilities, and urban Indian health centers operated by urban Indian organizations. Federal law allows the VA to reimburse federally-operated and Tribally-operated IHS facilities for services they provide to Native American veterans.

However, the law does not currently allow urban Indian health centers to participate in the same service reimbursement agreements as other two branches of IHS. This exclusion limits the ability of those urban facilities to maintain and expand services sought by Native American veterans and other Native American patients.  The Health Care Access for Urban Native Veterans Act will correct this exclusion and allow Native American veterans to have access to the timely, culturally competent care they deserve.

In addition to Udall and Khanna, the bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and U.S. Representatives Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Don Young (R-Alaska), Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), and Deb Haaland (D-N.M.).

“All veterans deserve to have access to the benefits and services they have earned, but limitations in the law are preventing Native American veterans from seeing providers at urban Indian health centers. We’re putting a bill forward that will ensure Indian health programs are eligible for reimbursements from the VA, so that Native American veterans get the services they need in a timely manner while giving the VA more options to deliver services in a timely manner,” said Rep. Haaland, Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus.

“Native American veterans have earned the right to quality, culturally-sensitive health care. Our country is indebted to Native veterans in this respect and more. I stand beside Rep. Khanna as he calls attention to the unique shortfalls that exist for Native veterans in our healthcare systems. The majority of Native Americans live in urban areas, and yet problems persist in VA and Indian Health Service reimbursements that reduce patients’ access to care. The Health Care Access for Urban Native Veterans Act will close gaps in health equity for Native veterans. I hope to quickly see its passage through the U.S. House,” said Assistant Speaker Luján.

“Native Americans have served our nation in uniform at a historically high rate, but too often these veterans face barriers and roadblocks when it comes to receiving the care and benefits they’ve earned. Our bipartisan bill provides Native American veterans in Montana with the health care and services they need when returning home from military service. It also expands Native American veterans’ access to care by streamlining reimbursements to clinics that provide essential care to these men and women in uniform,” said Senator Tester, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

“Right now, dozens of clinics around the country that serve Native veterans-including several in Minnesota-aren’t being reimbursed for care they provide like their federally or tribally operated counterparts. Clinics that serve Native veterans in urban areas should be reimbursed just the same as clinics in any other community. These are clinics that treat things like mental health–including PTSD–chronic diseases, and addiction. And they do so in a culturally sensitive way meaning that Native vets often seek care at these facilities instead of at the VA. Our bill would make a simple fix to make sure clinics get the same level of reimbursement no matter where they’re located,” said Senator Smith.

“I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Health Care Access for Urban Native Veterans Act. This bill will amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to authorize urban Indian organizations to enter into arrangements for the sharing of medical services and facilities,” said Rep. Gosar.

“I have long supported giving veterans a choice in how they access their health care. Alaska Native veterans and veterans from Native communities across our country deserve to seek care at facilities that are close to their homes and from doctors who they feel most comfortable with. This legislation is simple: if a Native veteran accesses care from an Urban Indian Organization clinic, then that clinic should be reimbursed by the VA for services provided. Our veterans risked everything to keep our country safe, and this legislation is an important part of ensuring that our heroes receive the care they have earned. I am grateful to Representatives Khanna, Moore, and Gosar for their leadership on this issue and look forward to working with them to get it past the finish line,” said Rep. Young.

“This partnership supports eligible Native American veterans in Nebraska and provides access to quality health care closer to their home. Passing this legislation would promote accessible public-health services by increasing care coordination, collaboration, and resource-sharing between the agencies,” said Rep. Bacon.

“This legislation would ensure that all tribal health programs serving Native veterans can be reimbursed by the VA. Native American veterans bravely served our country. We need to ensure they are taken care of and receive care that meets their unique cultural and social needs,” said Rep. Moore.

As of 2018, the VA had partnered with 188 federally-operated and Tribally-operated IHS facilities to provide direct care and reimbursement for services ranging from primary care to behavioral health. These agreements have resulted in improved access to care for more than 9,300 Native American veterans.

With the Health Care Access for Urban Native Veterans Act, 37 urban Indian nonprofit IHS facilities operating in 19 states will be able to partner with VA on similar reimbursement agreements, including the First Nations Community HealthSource in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley facility in San Jose, California.

“At First Nations Community HealthSource, we never turn anyone – veteran or not – away. Native veterans in Albuquerque consider our facility a safe, accessible space to receive health care,” said Linda Son-Stone, Chief Executive Officer of First Nations Community HealthSource. “With critical underfunding, this legislation would allow all Urban Indian Organizations to provide more services for the necessary care we already provide to our Native veterans. Thank you, Senator Udall, Representative Haaland, and all of the legislators who made Native veterans a priority.”

“The National Council of Urban Indian Health has made it a priority to ensure that Urban Indian Organizations are included in the IHS-VA MOU to help provide health care to American Indian and Alaska Native veterans,” said Sonya Tetnowski, Vice President of the National Council of Urban Indian Health and CEO of the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley. “As a Native veteran myself, I understand the importance of coming home and knowing I have a safe space to receive care. Thank you to my own Representative Ro Khanna, and we are grateful for the leadership of the 116th Congress in introducing this landmark legislation.”

The bill is supported by the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of American, and VoteVets.

“The Health Care Access for Urban Native Veterans Act is important legislation to ensuring that our Native veterans in urban areas are no longer left behind,” said Francys Crevier, NCUIH Executive Director. “Now, the Department of Veterans Affairs will be able to fully work with the 41 Title V Urban Indian Organizations that are integral to the Indian Health Service IHS/Tribal/Urban system who are already providing critical resources for American Indian and Alaska Native veterans who have served the United States as part of their dual trust obligation not only for veterans but also for American Indians and Alaska Natives.”

The full text of the legislation can be found HERE.

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About the Office

Congressman Khanna represents the 17th District of California, which covers communities in Silicon Valley. Visit his website at khanna.house.gov. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @RepRoKhanna.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Meredith Raimondi
202-544-0344
mraimondi@ncuih.org

NCUIH Youth Council Updates: 2018 Cohort Announces Native Youth Virtual Convening; 2019 Cohort Completes Orientation in Washington, DC

The national virtual youth convening will take place on August 6, 2019. The 2019 Cohort attended a rigorous 2-day orientation in June.

Washington, DC (July 19, 2019) – The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) announced a Native Youth Virtual Convening hosted by the 2018 NCUIH Youth Council on August 6, 2019. The 2019 NCUIH Youth Council cohort recently joined NCUIH in Washington, DC for orientation.

“Suicide is the 2^nd leading cause of death of American Indian and Alaska Native youth ages 10 to 24. NCUIH’s Youth Council is at the forefront of a movement to promote resiliency and prevent suicide in youth. We are excited to launch the virtual youth convening and to have our newest cohort join in our prevention campaign,” said NCUIH Executive Director Francys Crevier.

Native Youth Virtual Convening on August 6, 2019

The Native Youth Virtual Convening will provide an overview on how to become an Indigi-Wellness Champion. An Indigi-Wellness Champion is: American Indian and Alaska Native youth that embraces their indigeneity, lets their culture be the armor that protects them and builds/promotes resilience to empowering future generations. All AI/AN youth and allies across Indian Country are invited to participate in this free event.

• Who: All AI/AN youth and allies across Indian Country.
• What: A virtual convening of AI/AN youth led by the NCUIH Youth Advisory Council.
• When: August 6th from 3pm – 5pm EST
• Where: Online
• Why: To raise awareness about an upcoming national campaign on empowering AI/AN youth to be resilient.
• Learn more and register.

Meet the 2019 Youth Council

Czarina Campos Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma	Taylor Francisco Navajo Nation	Megan McDermott Descendant Piegan Blackfeet & Plains Cree	Quentin Paulsen Nima Corporation	Benjamin Sandecki  Cherokee

2019 NCUIH Youth Council Orientation

Recently, the 2019 class of NCUIH Youth Council members Czarina Campos (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma), Taylor Francisco (Navajo Nation), Megan McDermott (Descendant Piegan Blackfeet & Plains Cree), Quentin Paulsen (Nima Corporation), and Benjamin Sandecki (Cherokee) traveled to Washington, DC for orientation. The activities included two days of workshops led by NCUIH staff and special guests. The keynote speaker was Native American Lifelines Executive Director Kerry Hawk-Lessard who provided an overview about how urban Indian organizations (UIOs) operate every day. Special guests also included LorenAshley, Program Manager, United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc (UNITY), who spoke about best practices for youth councils.

 

NCUIH Development Director Alejandro Bermudez Del-Villar facilitated a cultural exchange with indigenous youth from Guatemala and Mexico with Xunik Tavico-Juan, Q’anjobal/Mayan Community (Guatemalan), Magda Tavico-Juan, Q’anjobal/Mayan Community (Guatemalan), Luis David Perez, Mixe from Puxmetacan, Oaxaca (Mexico) based in Mexico City.

Julia Dreyer, NCUIH Federal Relations Director provided a history of urban Indian health care and federal partnerships. Carla Lott, NCUIH Congressional Relations Director, presented an overview on urban Indian health policy and conducted a visit to Capitol Hill to learn about Congress.

 

About the NCUIH Youth Council

• More Information

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Meredith Raimondi
202-544-0344
mraimondi@ncuih.org

NCUIH Releases Preliminary Report on Impacts of Government Shutdown and Trackers for Regulations and Legislation

During the 2019 Washington Summit, NCUIH provided an update on findings of impacts from the government shutdown and published trackers for regulations and legislation online.

Washington, DC (April 30, 2019) — On April 23 and 24, NCUIH hosted over 120 attendees including representatives from Urban Indian Health Programs (UIHPs) and federal agencies. During the Summit, NCUIH released a preliminary report on the impact on the government shutdown on Urban Indian Health Programs (UIHPs). In addition, the Policy Department released online trackers for regulation and legislation.

• The shutdown report survey brief and key findings can be found here.
• The legislative tracker will be updated on a biweekly basis with new legislation that NCUIH is watching as it relates to Urban Indian Health Program (UIHP) funding and policy. View the legislative tracker here.
• The regulation tracker is a resource for following activities at federal agencies as they relate to the work of UIHPs. View the regulation tracker here.

The conference featured 7 keynote speakers for a total of over 47 speakers who presented on topics including 2020 Census Update, Strategies to Promote Compliance and Achieve Quality in your Healthcare Program, Sovereignty in the Era of Medicaid Work Requirements and ICWA from Gregory Smith and Elliott Milhollin of Hobbs Strauss, and Past, Present, Future: Urban Indian Health Policy. Many of the presentations are available online here.

“During the shutdown we heard about clinics closing. Indian Country has come together to say we can’t afford another shutdown,” said Jacqueline Pata, Executive Director at the National Council of American Indians (NCAI).

“Indian health is part of a trust obligation that goes back to the earliest treaties of American Indians with the United States Government. There is no argument to justify that urban Indian populations should receive any different level of health care from US Government as part of that trust obligation,” said Professor Matthew Fletcher, Director of the Indigenous Law & Policy Center at the Michigan State University.

Day two of the Summit included a keynote from Dr. Rose Weahkee, Acting Director of Office of Urban Indian Health Programs at the Indian Health Service and a panel of Native American Staffers from Capitol Hill including Naomi Miguel from the House Committee on Natural Resources, Jacqueline Bisille from the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and Heidi Todacheene from the Office of Congresswoman Deb Haaland.

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About the National Council of Urban Indian Health (https://ncuih.org)

The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) is the premier National 501(c)(3) organization devoted to the support and development of quality, accessible, and culturally-competent health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) living in urban settings. NCUIH envisions a nation where comprehensive, culturally competent personal and public health services are available and accessible to AI/ANs living in urban communities throughout the United States.  NCUIH represents 42 Urban Indian Health Programs (UIHPs) in the United States.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Meredith Raimondi
Manager, Communications & Events
National Council of Urban Indian Health
202-544-0344
mraimondi@ncuih.org

NCUIH’s 2^nd Washington Summit Highlights include Keynotes from IHS, NCAI’s Jacqueline Pata and Professor Matthew Fletcher

This week, the National Council of Urban Indian Health will host their second Washington Summit.

Washington, DC (April 23, 2019) — The National Council of Urban Indian Health will host their second Washington Summit on April 23 and 24 in Washington, DC. With an expected attendance of over 120 individuals from urban Indian Health Programs across the country and 10 federal agencies, the Summit’s theme is One Voice Acting Strategically to improve our Health through Policy and Partnerships.

“We are pleased to have an opportunity for urban Indian health programs (UIHPs) to meet with leaders from federal agencies especially after the government shutdown impacted so many of our facilities. We expect fruitful conversations that will help all of us to work to better serve American Indians and Alaska Natives no matter where they live,” said Executive Director Francys Crevier.

The Summit includes keynotes from Rear Admiral Michael Weahkee, Principal Deputy Director, Indian Health Service (IHS) on Tuesday, April 23 and Dr. Rose Weahkee, Acting Director, IHS Office of Urban Indian Health Programs on Wednesday, April 24. Other keynotes include Jacqueline Pata, Executive Director at the National Council of American Indians (NCAI) and Professor Matthew Fletcher, Director of the Indigenous Law & Policy Center at the Michigan State University. NCUIH Youth Council Members Shoshanna Johnson and Adon Vazquez will present on “Using Social Media Campaigns to Raise Awareness: Suicide and Substance Misuse Prevention for Native American Youth”.

The following federal agencies will send representatives: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services, Veterans Affairs,Indian Health Service – Division of Behavioral Health, Health Resources and Service Administration, Administration for Native Americans, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the Office of Inspector General, US Department of Health and Human Services.

The Honorary Host Committee includes Congressman Tom Cole, Congressman Ruben Gallego, Congressman Raúl Grijalva, Congresswoman Deb Haaland, Congressman Doug LaMalfa, Congressman Ben Ray Luján, and Congresswoman Betty McCollum with Senator John Hoeven, Senator Jon Tester, Senator Tom Udall, and Senator Elizabeth Warren.

This year’s Summit is sponsored by:

Indian Health Service

Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley

Oklahoma City Indian Clinic

Denver Indian Health and Family Services

First Nations Community Healthsource

Indian Health Care Resource Center

UND National Resource Center on Native American Aging

Tribal Diagnostics

The Summit artwork is by Kevin Tushka. “Arrowheads practice precision and pierce the elements. On the left side of this arrowhead: a pregnant woman carries her family’s water; a man serenades on flute, an elderly chief’s eyes carry the wisdom and weight of life in extremes. The right side: a young WWI veteran, a woman petitioning at a podium, a violin is played while muscular arms cross to represent many Native masters of Arts and fitness in this day. Lessons and stories were told over fires and our stories won’t end. We will pierce the future and stake the flag of heritage everywhere he hit our targets,” said Kevin Tushka, Summit Artist.

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About the National Council of Urban Indian Health (https://ncuih.org)

The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) is the premier National 501(c)(3) organization devoted to the support and development of quality, accessible, and culturally competent health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) living in urban settings. NCUIH envisions a nation where comprehensive, culturally competent personal and public health services are available and accessible to AI/ANs living in urban communities throughout the United States.  NCUIH represents 42 Urban Indian Health Programs (UIHPs) in the United States.