PRESS RELEASE: NCUIH Urges Congress to Take Immediate Action to Provide COVID-19 Resources for Indian Country at Hearing Today

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The last COVID-19 package was six months ago.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Meredith Raimondi
mraimondi@NCUIH.org
202-932-6615

Washington, DC (September 30, 2020) – On September 30, Francys Crevier (Algonquin), Chief Executive Officer of the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH), testified before the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee to provide updates on urban Indian health impacts of COVID-19. In addition to Ms. Crevier, the Subcommittee heard from Kevin J. Allis, CEO of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), and Carolyn Angus-Hornbuckle, COO and Director of Public Health Policy and Programs at the National Indian Health Board (NIHB). The hearing highlighted the non-partisan commitment of this subcommittee to upholding and honoring trust responsibilities to Indian Country.

“[I]t is my duty today to convey to you the severity of this crisis and how it is impacting the Indian Health System including our 41 [urban Indian organizations]. The last time a law was enacted was six months ago, the CARES Act of March 27, 2020, where Indian Country received a mere 0.5% of the total funding. The pandemic continues to wreak havoc on Indian Country as our people are disproportionately contracting and dying every single day from COVID-19. Since mid-July alone, when I last testified, IHS has seen a 51% increase in infections. Positive rates among Natives are 3.5 times higher than rates for non-Hispanic Whites and hospitalization rates are 4.7 times higher. Last week, CDC reported Native children were among the 78% of pediatric deaths. Black and brown children are dying and no one is paying attention,” stated Francys Crevier, CEO of NCUIH.

“The need to examine and address the ongoing situation in Indian Country is apparent. Congress needs to understand the full impact of the pandemic on Native Americans, and how to better meet the needs of the communities you are testifying on behalf of in future relief packages. Since the beginning of the pandemic, I’ve advocated for personal protective equipment, or PPE, complete test kits, and other supplies to be made available to Indian health facilities and to Tribal governments. Without these items, Native Americans are unable to ensure their safety while receiving essential government services, such as health care, welfare checks, law enforcement services, and domestic violence assistance,” stated House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Chair Betty McCollum.

“I recognize that COVID-19 has hit Indian Country disproportionately harder than the rest of the nation, that the situation is dire, and that additional funding is needed not only to keep tribal governments and communities functioning but to save lives. If there was ever a time for the Subcommittee to hold firm in its non-partisan commitment to tribes, this is it,” stated House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Ranking Member David Joyce.

Ms. Crevier’s testimony focused on the current status of UIOs, including:

  • The need for additional resources for testing and contact tracing with $2 billion for IHS and $64 million for UIOs;
  • Equitable distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine once approved, with a minimum 5% set-aside for the I/T/U system;
  • $80 million in facilities funding for UIOs;
  • $1 million for a UIO infrastructure study;
  • $7.3 million annually for 3 years in behavioral health funds for UIOs; and
  • $20 million in telehealth and health information technology funds for UIOs; and a spend-faster anomaly to insulate UIOs and the entire I/T/U system from the dire consequences of a potential government shutdown.

Next Steps

The House released a new COVID-19 package this week. Discussions between the White House and Congressional leadership are ongoing, however, time is running out before Congress departs until after the election.

PRESS RELEASE: 2020 National Urban Indian Youth Advisory Council Members Announced; 2019 Class Youth Council Announces Winners from Indigi-Wellness Healer Campaign

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This year NCUIH received a record number of applicants for the Youth Council.

Contact:
Meredith Raimondi
mraimondi@NCUIH.org
202-932-6615

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, D.C. (September 18, 2020) – The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) proudly announces the 2020 cohort of National Urban Indian Youth and Young Adult Advisory Council Members (Youth Council).  The 2020 – 2021 class of NCUIH Youth Council members include Elizabeth Alexander (Seminole Nation of Oklahoma), Taejonon Denetclaw, (Navajo Nation), Lauren Etcitty (Navajo Nation), Samuel Stollenwerck (Cherokee Nation), and Tia Yazzie (Navajo).

“In a time of political and national unrest, promoting the voices of our Native youth is of tantamount importance. In a year of record applicants to our Youth Council, it is clear that our youth are yearning to connect with each other. We are proud of the Indigi-Wellness Healer campaign ran by our most recent cohort to promote healthy relationships and Native healing. We can’t wait to see what these five new leaders do in the next year when we all can benefit from resources during these challenge times,” said Francys Crevier, Chief Executive Officer of NCUIH.

Meet the 2020 Youth Council

Elizabeth Alexander
Seminole Nation of Oklahoma
Shawnee, OK		 Taejonon Denetclaw
Navajo Nation
Albuquerque, NM		 Lauren Etcitty
Navajo Nation
Flagstaff, AZ		 Samuel Stollenwerck Cherokee Nation
Golden, CO		 Tia Yazzie
Navajo Nation
West Valley City, UT

About the Youth Council

The NCUIH Youth Council (Youth Council) was created to uplift our Native youth and young adults and make sure they have a seat at the table to advocate for better access to prevention and recovery services to address the challenges facing American Indian and Alaska Natives living in urban areas. The Youth Council consists of 5 young adults, between the ages of 18 to 24, who will be working over a 12 month period to advance prevention and awareness of youth suicide, substance misuse, and mental health challenges faced by urban American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth and young adults. Since 2018, the NCUIH partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has created opportunities for Native young adults to share, learn, and advocate for initiatives to address suicide and substance misuse in AI/AN communities, while providing a leadership experience to assist and support their professional development.

Selection Process

NCUIH’s National Urban Indian Youth Council applicants were selected from a pool of highly competitive youth applicants, between the ages of 18 and 24, which provided for consideration a comprehensive application judged by an independent review committee of partnering organizations including the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY), United National Indian Tribal National Youth Inc. (UNITY), National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP) , the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) and THRIVE. NCUIH sincerely thanks the staff who supported the review of Youth Council applications.

2019 Class Youth Council Announces Winners from Indigi-Wellness Healer Campaign

In addition to the selection of NCUIH’s 2020 class of youth council members, NCUIH acknowledges the work of the 2019 Youth Council class in successfully completing their Indigi-Wellness Healer Campaign using the hashtags #IndigiLove and #NativeLove. Winners

  • 1st Place – Marina McDermott (Blackfeet Cree from Seattle, WA)
  • 2nd Place – Stevi Johnson (Absentee Shawnee from Oklahoma City, OK)
  • 3rd Place Mikail Melcher (Mi’kmaq) West Roxbury, MA

As Native youth continue to struggle with wellness challenges because of COVID-19, NCUIH’s youth council created a platform that amplifies youth voices and stories to the national level through its Indigi-Wellness Healer Campaign (www.ncuih.org/indigiwellnesshealer). The Indigi-Wellness Healer Campaign was a social media campaign by Native Youth for Native Youth consisting of two hashtag themes – #NativeHealing and #IndigiLove – to express the importance of mental & physical wellness and healthy Native relationships, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. The Indigi-Wellness Healer Campaign aimed to inspire Native youth to heal, to promote self- love, and love between family, friends, and partners. It is the 2019 Youth Council’s hope that this will improve the overall health of Native youth for future generations.  The campaign was conducted in partnership with UNITY, CNAY, WeRNative, and Healthy Native Youth.

 

NCUIH Youth Council Indigi-Wellness Healer Infographic

Learn more about the Youth Council here or contact Sebouh Kouyoumjian, MPA/HSA at (202) 544-0344 or skouyoumjian@ncuih.org.

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About the National Council of Urban Indian HealthThe 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: National Native Organizations Come Together in Support of Hope for Life Day for Indigenous Communities During Suicide Prevention Week

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According to the CDC, suicide is the second leading cause of death of AI/ANs.


Washington, D.C. (September 11, 2020) – This week, National Native Organizations (the National Council of Urban Indian Health, the National Indian Health Board and the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board) came together to honor and celebrate Hope for Life Day (September 10, 2020) to bring awareness to the suicide disparities faced by Indigenous people across the U.S., especially our youth.  With suicide being the second leading cause of death of American Indian and Alaska Natives, it is important to promote hope and resilience resources to counter the effects of current COVID-19 isolation practices which can lead to stress, worry and depression.“The pandemic of suicide has been taking precious Native lives for far too long. With the new pandemic of COVID-19 ravaging Native communities, it is more important than ever that we find ways to bring the community together and highlight the resilience of our people. This week, we joined with the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) and Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board to promote hope, life, cultural resiliency and community transformation during this important week. As our population is being decimated by the deadly virus of COVID-19, we need our youth to know that we need them here now more than ever. One more death is too many,” said Francys Crevier, NCUIH Chief Executive Officer.

“The National Indian Health Board recognizes that many American Indians and Alaska Natives are experiencing extraordinary challenges because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is within our purview as Tribal leaders, community members, parents, elders and neighbors to watch out and protect one another, especially our Native youth. Hope for Life Day brings together community for the purpose of healing and brings a sense of hope to those who may be suffering and having thoughts of suicide. NIHB is proud to be a part of the solution for Indian Country by providing technical assistance to the Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention (SASP) grantees. We have seen much progress and success with the program as it fosters community mobilization and a community driven approach to these concerns – providing a beacon of hope for many,” said NIHB CEO Stacy A. Bohlen.

“In the world that is sadly filled too much with hate, ugliness, hurt, we can find hope and the light in those we love. The simple hellos, the simple how are you, the simple it’s good to see you, is a light we can all give without hesitation. Because it’s those little things that may often mean the world to someone without us even realizing it. So please if you can do anything on this day, tomorrow and every day after, please be kind, please love one another, please uplift a loved one, a friend, a relative and even a stranger… be that light today that our future needs,” says NPAIHB Chairman Nickolaus Lewis.

In 2015, the Annual National American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Hope for Life Day (Suicide Prevention Awareness Day) was put forward as a resolution at the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Mid-Year Conference in 2015 after a year collaborative effort by the Action Alliance’s AI/AN Task Force. Since then, National Native Organizations have partnered each year on September 10, which is during Suicide Prevention Week to raise awareness.

This week the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH), National Indian Health Board (NIHB) and Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board’s (NPAIHB) THRIVE/ WeRNative initiatives partnered to host a Hope for Life Media Campaign for Suicide Prevention, using the hashtag #HopeForLife. Resources and positive messaging were shared via social media sites, respectively, which will continue to be available to the community through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

On Wednesday, September 9, NCUIH co-hosted a Facebook live event with NIHB and NPAIHB THRIVE/WeRNative titled “Suicide Prevention in the Age of COVID-19”, where representatives from both urban and tribal communities, as well as youth shared on their suicide prevention and awareness activities.  The American Indian Health and Family Services (AIHFS), an Urban Indian Organization in Detroit, presented on their Sacred Bundle and “post-vention” programs to support the continuation of mental health screenings for the youth and adults in their community during the pandemic. Adon Vasquez (Cherokee) and Karyna Sitkowski presented from AIHFS.  Also, Mr. Roger Clark (Paiute) from the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah presented on their Mus- Pu-Vu Program, funded by the former Indian Health Service MSPI Program (Methamphetamine, Suicide, Prevention Initiative).  Ms. Lael Tate (Diné),  Suicide Prevention Project Coordinator, shared outcomes from the NPAIHB’s youth conference that transitioned to virtual due to COVID-19.  During the conference youth created art, poetry and videos to promote their #IndigiLoveBeginsWithI recently released campaign. A video was shared that captured the event’s experience through their own words and pictures.

The Facebook event recording is available here.

Facebook Live Event  –  Lael Tate (Diné),  Suicide Prevention Project Coordinator, NPAIHB

On Thursday, September 10, the organizations hosted a Tweetstorm event: #HopeForLife. Sample messaging was provided to use during this time, to raise awareness of common warning signs for suicide, resources for self-care, and mental health resources to share with others.

This year’s NCUIH Youth Council created an Indigi-Wellness Healer Campaign ahead of Hope for Life Day where they created 2 infographics and ran an online social media campaign to promote healthy relationships and prevent suicide in youth. Last year, the NCUIH Youth Council hosted a month-long Indigi-Wellness Champion Campaign that kicked off on Hope for Life Day.

NCUIH Youth Council Indigi-Wellness Healer Infographic

More resources and information are available online for the Hope for Life Campaign.

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Learn More

Facebook Event: Suicide Prevention in the Age of COVID-19
Watch the Facebook Event: Suicide Prevention in the Age of COVID-19
Watch Recording

Social Media Campaign Graphics

 

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.

About the National Indian Health Board

Established by the Tribes to advocate as the united voice of federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes, the National Indian Heatlh Board (NIHB) seeks to reinforce Tribal sovereignty, strengthen Tribal health systems, secure resources, and build capacity to achieve the highest level of health and well-being for our People.

About the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board

The Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB or the Board) is a non-profit tribal advisory organization serving the forty-three federally recognized tribes of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. NPAIHB houses a tribal epidemiology center, several health promotion disease prevention projects, and is active in Indian health policy. We R Native is housed at the Board and is a comprehensive health resource for Native youth, by Native youth, providing content and stories about the topics that matter most to them. We R Native strives to promote holistic health and positive growth in local communities and the nation at large. The suicide prevention project at the Board is Tribal Health: Reaching out InVolves Everyone (THRIVE).

Tweetstorm
Contact:
Meredith Raimondi
mraimondi@NCUIH.org
202-932-6615

Press Release: New NCUIH Report on Urban Third-Party Reimbursement

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Washington, DC (August 27, 2020)— The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH)  is proud to announce the publication of its report – “Recent Trends in Third-Party Billing at Urban Indian Organizations”. The report provides an overview of billing methods and payment methodologies that Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) use for third-party reimbursement, data insights, and related policies and issues relevant both in the recent past and in the age of coronavirus.

“We have long known that Urban Indian Organizations do not receive adequate funding from the federal government,” said NCUIH Executive Director Francys Crevier. “This report demonstrates how resilient UIOs have been in spite of this, setting up robust third-party billing arrangements in a complex policy environment.  Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic represents a catastrophic threat to the stability they have built”.

Key Findings Include:

  • Third-party reimbursement is more crucial to the stability of the Urban Indian healthcare system than ever. Between fiscal year (FY) 2010 to FY2018, third-party reimbursement nearly tripled, while funding from IHS appropriations remained relatively unchanged.
  • UIOs were projected to earn a minimum of $212.7 million in reimbursement in FY 2020.  Yet due to the coronavirus pandemic, NCUIH estimates that UIOs lost over a quarter of that expected revenue by June 21, 2020 (between $55.1 to $60.5 million).
  • In FY2018, UIOs received $672 per American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) patient from the Indian Health Service (IHS) budget’s Urban Indian Health line item.
  • The average Medicaid reimbursement rate UIOs receive is around $245 – nearly half the 2020 all-inclusive rate of $479 available to tribal health programs and IHS facilities.  The lowest rate NCUIH has on record was $70 in 2018, and 50% of UIOs currently receive between $170 and $300 per encounter.

The authors of the report – Sunny Stevenson, JD (sstevenson@ncuih.org) and Andrew Kalweit, MPH (akalweit@ncuih.org) – presented initial findings at a Webinar on August 6, 2020 and will also present at the IHS Partnership Virtual Trainings on October 1, 2020.  A recording and slides for the first presentation are available online, alongside training materials.

NCUIH is thankful for the partnership with the Division of Tribal Affairs and Office of Minority Health at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as well as NORC at the University of Chicago, which made this project possible. We look forward to continued collaboration as we strive to achieve healthy equity for American Indian and Alaska Native people.

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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.

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PRESS RELEASE: National Native Organizations (NCUIH, NCAI, NIHB) Call for Congressional Action in Light of New CDC Report

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Meredith Raimondi, 202-932-6615, mraimondi@ncuih.org

CDC study finds that COVID-19 has a disproportionate impact on American Indians and Alaska Natives who are 3.5 times more likely to test positive for COVID-19.

Washington, D.C. (August 26, 2020) – Today, the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH), the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) (the National Native Organizations) renewed a call for urgent action by Congress on COVID-19 emergency legislation for Indian Country in light of a new CDC study from August 19, 2020. Previously, the National Native Organizations expressed the need for Congress to immediately reconvene to pass emergency COVID-19 legislation. The last emergency supplement to Indian Country was on March 27, 2020 in the CARES Act, in which Indian Country received just 0.5% of the funding.

On August 19, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the results of a COVID-19 study that examined the impact of COVID-19 on American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs). The report revealed many concerning details about COVID-19’s impact on AI/ANs, including that, in the 23 selected states CDC studied, AI/ANs were 3.5 times more likely to test positive for COVID-19 than non-Hispanic whites.

“The CDC study proves what we have known for months to be true – American Indians and Alaska Natives are disproportionately contracting and dying every single day from COVID-19. Inaction by the federal government is a failure of the federal trust responsibility to provide health care to Natives in exchange for cessation of our lands. This is not the first time a virus is killing our people while the federal government stands by without any plan for Indian Country. The time is now for our Congressional leaders to take action and provide our people the resources obligated to them by the federal government before more lives are needlessly lost”, said Francys Crevier, Executive Director of the National Council of Urban Indian Health.

“We are grateful that Congress directed nearly $200 million to CDC to support Tribes during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is evident by the data that more resources and funding are needed. The CDC report highlights serious COVID-19 related challenges faced by American Indians and Alaska Natives, which is information that the National Indian Health Board has been relaying to media, Members of Congress and the Administration for months. Our messages are clear: Native people are disproportionately and negatively impacted by COVID-19; data gaps for Native health persist and need to be addressed; and serious investment is needed for public health infrastructure and health information technology within the Indian health system. Tribes need these resources, so we have a fighting chance to combat COVID-19 and the capacity to track the virus and all disease processes in Indian Country,” Stacy Bohlen, Executive Director of the National Indian Health Board.

“The federal government’s chronic underfunding of American Indian and Alaska Native public health systems has undeniably fueled the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on tribal communities,” said National Congress of American Indians CEO Kevin Allis. “Increased resources, including for public health infrastructure, are greatly needed to address these disparities and ensure that the United States upholds its trust and treaty responsibility to provide quality healthcare to tribal nations and their citizens.”

Background

On July 20, 2020, in response to these glaring inequities, NCUIH, NIHB, NCAI, and other organizations representing AI/ANs sent a letter to House and Senate leadership including recommendations for the fourth COVID-19 relief package. On July 27, 2020, the House Native American Caucus also sent a letter echoing the importance of addressing these needs. The recommendations included $2 billion in emergency funding for IHS and at least $1 billion for health infrastructure, Federal Torts Claim Act coverage and 100% Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for urban Indian organizations, reauthorization of the Special Diabetes Program for Indians, and delivery of funds through preexisting IHS self-determination and self-governance contracts, among other provisions. These policies will provide AI/AN providers with the resources necessary to combat the disproportionate impact that COVID-19 has on AI/ANs.

Study Overview and Limitations

The CDC also found that AI/ANs infected by COVID-19 tended to be younger, with 12.9% of AI/ANs under 18 testing positive for COVID-19 compared to 4.3% of non-Hispanic Whites. The study was unable to identify disparities in COVID-19 disease severity and health outcomes compared to other racial and ethnic groups due to lack of available data for AI/ANs, illustrating the need for further research. Studies from the CDC, including this one, have shown that AI/ANs are among the racial and ethnic minority groups at a highest risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes. Factors contributing to higher rates of COVID-19 infection include historical trauma, preexisting health disparities, multigenerational households, and lack of access to running water.

The report also acknowledged several limitations due to incomplete data for AI/ANs.  First, data is voluntarily reported to CDC, which results in missing data and an incomplete picture of the prevalence of COVID-19 infection among our population. Second, the report included data from only 23 states, and the analysis only included one half of reported COVID-19 cases among AI/ANs during the same time period. Third, the methodology in this report used bridged-races estimates as population denominators which are known to inflate the Hispanic AI/AN population, resulting in an underestimation of mortality rates among AI/AN populations. The federal government must do a better job in meeting its trust responsibility to gather accurate and complete data to assess the true impact of COVID-19 in AI/AN communities.

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About the National Council of Urban Indian Health

The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) is the national non-profit organization devoted to the support and development of quality, accessible, and culturally-competent health and public health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) living in urban areas. NCUIH is the only national representative of the 41 Title V Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) under the Indian Health Service (IHS) in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA). NCUIH strives to improve the health of the over 70% of the AI/AN population that lives in urban areas, supported by quality, accessible health care centers.A

About the National Congress of American Indians 

Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of tribal governments and communities, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies, and promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people, and rights. For more information visit www.ncai.org.

About the National Indian Health Board

Established by the Tribes to advocate as the united voice of federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes, the National Indian Heatlh Board (NIHB) seeks to reinforce Tribal sovereignty, strengthen Tribal health systems, secure resources, and build capacity to achieve the highest level of health and well-being for our People.

NUIFC Press Release: The National Council of Urban Indian Health Joins An Unprecedented National Coalition For Census & Civic Engagement Work In All Native Communities

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SEATTLE, WA — The National Urban Indian Family Coalition (NUIFC) is excited to welcome the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) to a national coalition of Native organizations working collaboratively on a robust, unprecedented civic engagement initiative focused on ensuring an accurate Census count and empowering hundreds of thousands Native voters in communities on and off the reservation.

“We have so much at stake and we’re taking extraordinary efforts to make sure our voices are heard in the most important election and Census of our lifetime,” says Janeen Comenote, NUIFC Executive Director. “The addition of NCUIH to our already powerful coalition of urban Indian organizations both locally and nationally strengthens our collective ability to impact the body politic in the U.S.”

“It is of paramount importance that we ensure that American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) living in urban settings are civically engaged, exercising their rights and raising their voices. As this is the first time ever that NCUIH has been awarded funds to focus on Census and Voting initiatives at the national level, we are encouraged to see attention given to urban AI/AN mobilization to positively impact and educate decision makers and the general public on our reality and challenges especially amid a global pandemic that is ravaging our communities.”

— FRANCYS CREVIER, NCUIH’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

NCUIH joins an impressive list of national Native organizations including, the National Congress of American Indians, the Native American Rights Fund, Urban Indian Health Institute, the Center for Native American Youth, and the NUIFC. The addition of the NCUIH rounds out a full geographic footprint both on and off the reservation in Indian Country.

“NCUIH is thrilled to partner with the National Urban Indian Family Coalition (NUIFC) and the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation on a critically important census and civic engagement initiative for Urban Native Americans,” says Alejandro Bermudez Del-Villar, NCUIH’s Programs & Development Director. “It is of paramount importance that we ensure that American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) living in urban settings are civically engaged, exercising their rights and raising their voices. As this is the first time ever that NCUIH has been awarded funds to focus on Census and Voting initiatives at the national level, we are encouraged to see attention given to urban AI/AN mobilization to positively impact and educate decision makers and the general public on our reality and challenges especially amid a global pandemic that is ravaging our communities.”

NCUIH was formed in 1998 to support the development of quality, accessible, and culturally competent health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives living in urban communities. Today, NCUIH works in partnership with more than 40 urban Indian organizations offering quality, accessible, and culturally sensitive health care programs in their community and are a trusted institution in Indian country.

To this end, NCUIH will conduct online civic education through multiple platforms, invest into Urban Indian Health Organizations to engage in community engagement around the Census and election, and work directly with its youth council to foster civic participation among young Natives.

In 2018, the NUIFC launched the first ever national urban American Indian & Alaska Native Civic Engagement initiative, which was an overwhelming success and contributed to the election of the country’s first two Native American Congresswomen. This year NUIFC has steadily grown this national coalition with the primary goal of supporting an even larger network of Urban Indian organizations as they build political power and ensure an accurate Census count. With more than 70 percent of all American Indians and Alaska Natives residing in metropolitan centers, it is vital that our work include as many urban stakeholders as possible.

PRESS RELEASE: NCUIH Vice President to Testify at House Natural Resources Legislative Hearing on FTCA Bill for UIOs

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Meredith Raimondi, 202-932-6615, mraimondi@ncuih.org

WASHINGTON, DC (July 20, 2020) – On July 22, Robyn Sunday-Allen, NCUIH Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic, will testify before the House Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States. Ms. Sunday-Allen will be testifying on Tuesday, July 22 at 2 PM in support of H.R. 6535, the Coverage for Urban Indian Health Providers Act. H.R. 6535 would extend Federal Tort Claims Act coverage to urban Indian organizations (UIOs).

“Oklahoma City Indian Clinic has been operating on the front lines of this crisis with limited resources. We spend hundreds of thousands of dollars each year on liability insurance for our providers. With parity in FTCA, we would put every cent back into services which will allow us to fulfill our mission of providing excellent health care to American Indians. Increasing access to quality health care and preventive wellness services and producing positive health outcomes for urban American Indians living in central Oklahoma is the business we are in,” said Robyn Sunday- Allen, CEO of Oklahoma City Indian Clinic, and NCUIH Vice President.

Passage of H.R. 6535 would ensure that UIOs achieve parity with the rest of the IHS/Tribal health providers/urban Indian organizations system (I/T/U system). Currently, UIOs are the only part of the I/T/U system who do not receive FTCA coverage. This act, if passed, would save individual UIOs up to $250,000 a year on medical malpractice insurance, money that could be used to hire additional providers, provide additional programs, and to respond to COVID-19 and future public health emergencies.

The Senate held a hearing on the companion bill (S. 3650) on July 1, 2020.  At the hearing, Indian Health Service (IHS) Director RADM Weahkee endorsed the bill on behalf of IHS.

FTCA coverage for UIOs currently has bipartisan support in the House and Senate, Executive Branch, and from the Tribal Budget Formulation Workgroup.

The link to watch the livestream of the hearing can be found here.

PRESS RELEASE: NCUIH Commends Supreme Court Decision as Monumental Victory for Indian Country

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McGirt v. Oklahoma reasserts the US treaty with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Meredith Raimondi, 202-932-6615, mraimondi@ncuih.org

WASHINGTON, DC (July 9, 2020) – On July 9, 2020, in a historic decision the US Supreme Court sided with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in McGirt v. Oklahoma, a case set to decide the jurisdictional fate for the eastern part of Oklahoma. In a 5-4 decision, the court acknowledged the treaties which the US government has continually broken. “On the far end of the Trail of Tears was a promise. Forced to leave their ancestral lands in Georgia and Alabama, the Creek Nation received assurances that their new lands in the West would be secure forever…Because Congress has not said otherwise, we hold the government to its word” (McGirt v. Oklahoma). This marks a major victory for Indian Country, as the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s treaties with the US government are upheld.

“Tribal sovereignty is a top priority for the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH). We know all too well that the promises made to American Indians and Alaska Natives are often broken. Today’s decision is truly a win for all of Indian Country. We commend the court for its decision today and congratulate the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in its victory. We also urge the federal government to do more to rectify longstanding injustices against Indian Country. As allies, we at NCUIH will continue to do all we can to advocate for the sovereignty of all Indian Nations. Today, sovereignty has won,” said Francys Crevier, Executive Director of NCUIH.

“As a Muscogee (Creek) citizen, this decision is more than the court upholding the United States government’s legal obligation as written in treaty, it is the highest court in the land acknowledging that my great-great grandmother’s lands are still ours. No court can define the meaning of our lands, but thankfully, this decision conveys to the world what we have long known to be true,” said Julia Wakeford (Mvskoke), Policy Assistant at NCUIH.

These lands were guaranteed through direct relations with the US Federal government and the Tribe, a relationship which has been undermined by the state of Oklahoma. In the official opinion offered by Justice Neil Gorsuch, it was made clear that only through direct legislative means can this reservation be disestablished. In McGirt v. Oklahoma, the federal government followed through on its treaty obligations, with the court disavowing many actions taken against tribes in this country: “Unlawful acts, performed long enough and with sufficient vigor, are never enough to amend the law. To hold otherwise would be to elevate the most brazen and longstanding injustices over the law, both rewarding wrong and failing those in the right. The judgment of the Court of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma is Reversed.” (McGirt v. Oklahoma)

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The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) is the national non-profit organization devoted to the support and development of quality, accessible, and culturally-competent health and public health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) living in urban areas. NCUIH is the only national representative of the 41 Title V Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) under the Indian Health Service (IHS) in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA). NCUIH strives to improve the health of the over 70% of the AI/AN population that lives in urban areas, supported by quality, accessible health care centers.

PRESS RELEASE: House FY21 Interior Appropriations Bill includes $66 Million for Urban Indian Health, $8.4 Million above FY20

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Contact: Meredith Raimondi, 202-932-6615, mraimondi@ncuih.org

The bill includes $6.5 Billion for Indian Health Service.

Washington, DC (July 9, 2020) – Today, the House Appropriations Committee released the bill report for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies funding bill. The bill includes $6.5 billion for the Indian Health Service (IHS), an increase of $445 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $199 million above the President’s budget request for FY 2021. The full Appropriations Committee will mark up the bill on Friday at 9:00 a.m.

The bill includes $66.1 million for Urban Indian Health line item in the IHS budget. The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) requested $106 million Urban Indian Health as recommended by the Tribal Budget Formulation Workgroup (TBFWG) for FY 2021. The bill also includes $83.9 million in Direct Operations for IHS and directs IHS to confer with UIOs to conduct a study on infrastructure needs. Additionally, Alzheimer’s Disease and the Hepatitis C & HIV/AIDS Initiative would receive $5 million respectively with provisions to work with UIOs.

“We are grateful for Chair McCollum, Ranking Member Joyce and the Committee for their tireless efforts in ensuring all of Indian Country has the resources needed to protect and care for our relatives. We are encouraged by the inclusion of $66.1 million for urban Indian health and the long-needed infrastructure study for urban Indian health facilities who require new resources to safely operate amid this pandemic,” said Francys Crevier, Executive Director of NCUIH.

In June, NCUIH testified before the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies for a hearing on the Indian Health Service (IHS) COVID-19 Response. NCUIH highlighted the dire need for facilities and infrastructure funding, which is currently unfunded, in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. In February, NCUIH testified as part of American Indian and Alaska Native Public Witness Day.

Indian Health Service

Note: Additional analysis is forthcoming.

Indian Health Service – $6.5 billion, an increase of $445 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $199 million above the President’s budget request.

  • Urban Indian Health – $66.1 million, $8,443,000 above the FY20 enacted level and $16,491,000 above the President’s budget request
  • Health Services – $4.5 billion, an increase of $225 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $33 million above the President’s budget request. This reflects the move of Payment for Tribal Leases (Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act section 105(l) lease cost agreements, commonly referred to as “section 105(l)” leases) to a separate, indefinite appropriation account.
    • Note: UIOs are ineligible for the 105(l) leases. Over the past few years, IHS has diverted over $1.5 million of UIO funds to cover the cost of these leases, so a separate appropriation to cover 105(l) lease costs will ensure future UIO funding is not diverted again for this reason.
  • Health Facilities – $935 million, an increase of $23 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $166 million above the President’s budget request.
    • Note: Even though the bill language does not exclude UIOs, there is still the limitation found in 25 U.S.C. § 1659 that limits UIO facility renovation or construction to “minor” activities for the sole purpose of meeting Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) accreditation standards.
  • Alzheimer’s Disease – $5 million
    • The Committee directs IHS, in consultation with Indian Tribes and Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs), to develop a plan to assist those with Alzheimer’s, the additional services required, and the costs associated with increasing Alzheimer’s patients and submit this information to Congress within 270 days of enactment of this Act.
  • Hepatitis C & HIV/AIDS Initiative- $5 million
    • The Committee encourages IHS to confer with UIOs to determine how they may participate in this Initiative.

Next Steps

On Tuesday, the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee approved the bill with funding for the Indian Health Service. On Friday, the full House Appropriations Committee will markup the Interior bill. While the House is expected to move swiftly, the Senate is in recess until July 20 and has yet to begin their COVID-19 emergency response package. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has signaled the Senate will still recess for August meaning that the Senate Appropriations process may not be underway until September. As it is an election year, the chances of a passage for an Interior Appropriations Bill in both chambers is dwindling and it’s looking like a Continuing Resolution will be needed.

Background

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The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) is the national non-profit organization devoted to the support and development of quality, accessible, and culturally-competent health and public health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) living in urban areas. NCUIH is the only national representative of the 41 Title V Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) under the Indian Health Service (IHS) in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA). NCUIH strives to improve the health of the over 70% of the AI/AN population that lives in urban areas, supported by quality, accessible health care centers.

PRESS RELEASE: Senate Passes Package with Health Care Access for Urban Native Veterans Act at a Critical Time

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Contact: Meredith Raimondi, 202-932-6615, mraimondi@ncuih.org

The Health Care Access for Urban Native Veterans Act was also included in the House passed HEROES Act.

Washington, DC (June 4, 2020) – Today, the Senate passed S. 886, the Indian Water Rights Settlement Extension Act with a substitute amendment offered by Senators Tom Udall, Jerry Moran and Mitt Romney. The four-bill package included S. 2365, the Health Care Access for Urban Native Veterans Act of 2019 which allows the Indian Health Service and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to enter into agreements for the sharing of medical facilities and services with urban Indian organizations.

“In the middle of pandemic that is ravaging Native communities, urban Indian veterans are being left behind by the United States government. Now more than ever, Native veterans need access to life-saving health care. We are grateful for the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs including Chairman Hoeven and Ranking Member Udall for recognizing the urgency of pushing this legislation across the finish line,” said Francys Crevier, Executive Director.

Current Status

The House of Representatives companion bill (H.R. 4153) was ordered to be reported favorably by the Committee on Natural Resources on March 11, 2020. It was also included in the recent HEROES Act passed by the House on May 15, 2020.

Background on S.886

S. 886, the Indian Water Rights Settlement Extension Act, as amended, includes:

  • S. 2365, the Health Care Access for Urban Native Veterans Act of 2019 allows the Indian Health Service within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the U.S. Department of Defense to enter into agreements for the sharing of medical facilities and services with urban Indian organizations;
  • S. 279, the Tribal School Federal Insurance Parity Act
  • S. 1875, the Aamodt Litigation Settlement Completion Act of 2019
  • S. 1207, the Navajo-Utah Water Rights Settlement Act

Background on the Health Care Access for Urban Native Veterans Act

Last year, the National Congress of American Indians passed a resolution calling on Congress to “enact legislation ensuring the provision of health care to American Indian and Alaska Native veterans living in urban centers.” This important urban Indian health bill also has widespread endorsements by NCUIH’s valued partners across Indian Country along with valuable veteran organizations, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and VoteVets.

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The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) is the national non-profit organization devoted to the support and development of quality, accessible, and culturally-competent health and public health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) living in urban areas. NCUIH is the only national representative of the 41 Title V Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) under the Indian Health Service (IHS) in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA). NCUIH strives to improve the health of the over 70% of the AI/AN population that lives in urban areas, supported by quality, accessible health care centers.