Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board

Legislative and Policy Update

August 14, 2024

Important Dates

August 16, 2024

IHS Health IT Modernization Tribal Summit

Phoenix, AZ

 

August 27 – 28, 2024

IHS ISAC Fall 2024 Semi-Annual Meeting

Rockville, MD/Hybrid


August 27 – 29, 2024 

Tribal Behavioral Health Conference 2024 

Ridgefield, WA (Cowlitz Indian Tribe) 

Conference Registration 


August 30, 2024

2023 Indian Health Service Director’s Awards Ceremony

Rockville, MD


September 10-11, 2024

Facilities Appropriation Advisory Board (FAAB)

Ysletta del Sur Pueblo (El Paso), TX


September 10-12, 2024

DSTAC 4th Quarter Meeting

TBD


September 10-12, 2024

HHS Secretary's Tribal Advisory Committee (STAC)

Puyallup, WA

Legislative Updates

FY 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act provides $122.8 billion to HHS. The bill provides $122.8 billion in discretionary funding for the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill includes new investments to address the rising toll of opioid overdoses fueled by fentanyl, improve access to substance use disorder prevention and treatment, and improve access to mental health services. 

 

H. Res. 1400 Introduced in House on August 8. The bill will support the goals and ideals of Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day on August 21, 2024. Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day to be celebrated each year on August 21, encourages people to promote prevention of the use of illicit fentanyl and educates young people on Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day, symbolizing a commitment to healthy, drug-free lifestyles. Encourage participation in drug prevention activities to show support for healthy, productive, and drug-free lifestyles. 

 

S. 4776 Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act Title VI of the bill as introduced and of the substitute seeks to improve services for Native elders. Its provisions – the creation of an Older Americans Tribal Advisory Committee, increasing supportive services and adding the provision of in-home services, and a report to Congress. 

Tribal Consultations, Listening Sessions & Written Comments

Region X Tribal Consultation Comments. Region X was held in Lummi, WA, May 1-3, 2024.

  • Comments due: September 1.


IHS HIT Modernization. On January 18, 2024, the Indian Health Service (IHS) issued a Dear Tribal Leader letter, announcing a series of four Tribal and Urban Consultation sessions set to take place throughout the HIT Modernization 2024 calendar. The first session, slated for February 8th, will provide an overview of the Enterprise Collaboration Group. During this session, the IHS requests feedback on system configuration and change management. Written comments are due 30 days following each session by email to consultation@ihs.gov, SUBJECT LINE: Health IT Modernization. 

 

Multi-Tenant Domain Considerations (virtual event) 

  • Comments due: September 6.

 

Site Readiness and Training (hybrid event) 

Date: November 7, 2024 

Time: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 PM PST 

Location: TBD 

Registration 


Written Comments on Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Hospital outpatient prospective payment and ambulatory surgical center payment systems; Quality reporting programs, including the hospital inpatient quality reporting program; health and safety standards for obstetrical services in hospitals and critical access hospitals; Prior authorization; Requests for information; etc. This proposed rule includes the four walls requirement which would provide exceptions to the Medicaid clinic services benefit four walls requirement for Indian Health Service and Tribal clinics, and, at state option, for behavioral health clinics and clinics located in rural areas.  


Written Comments Solicited – ACL National Plan on Aging: ACL recently released its Report to Congress on Aging in the United States: A Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging. The Strategic Frameworks capture opportunities and challenges created by the aging of the American population and define goals and objectives for addressing critical aging issues.

  • ACL is soliciting public input on the Strategic Framework to inform the development of a national plan on aging. Comments due: September 15. Link to Share your comments.

Administrative & Regulatory Updates

FY 2025 Interior-Environment and Related Agencies Senate Appropriations Committee Bill. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved its FY 2025 Interior-Environment Appropriations Bill on July 25, 2024. The text of the bill is here; and the report is here

For more information:

Laura Platero, Executive Director 

Candice Jimenez, Chief of Staff

Rebecca Descombes, Health Policy Assistant

Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board | Website