On April 23, 2015, at 10am EDT, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education will hold a hearing entitled: "Budget Hearing - Panel on Programs Supporting Native Americans."

This subcommittee is responsible for providing annual funding for all of the Department of Health and Human Services agencies except the Indian Health Service.  NIHB Executive Director Stacy Bohlen will testify on behalf of the National Indian Health Board on Tribal health priorities. 

The hearing will take place in 2358-C Rayburn House Office Building.  You can see more about the hearing, including a live webcast, by clicking here.  

On Saturday, April 18, 2015, the Montana Legislature voted to expand Medicaid. The governor is expected to sign this bill into law making Montana the 29th state choosing to expand Medicaid coverage to more low-income people under the Affordable Care Act. 

The legislation is called the Montana Health and Economic Livelihood Partnership, or HELP Act, and will expire in June 2019.  Under the Affordable Care Act, states can accept federal funds to expand Medicaid eligibility to people with incomes at or below 138% of the federal poverty level.  The federal government pays 100% of the cost until next year, when the subsidy begins to decline, falling to 90% by 2020. 

In writing the Act, Montana tied health care to economic development.  Consequently, under the HELP Act, new Medicaid beneficiaries would be given the option to participate in a workforce development program and be assessed for potential employment barriers such as addiction or inadequate skills.  The program would end June 30, 2019, unless legislators renew the program.   The state must still obtain approval of the program from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) which determines whether state expansion plans that vary from usual standards qualify for federal support.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary's Tribal Advisory Committee (STAC) currently has vacancies, and is soliciting recommendations for nominations to serve as delegates for the areas with an open seat.

HHS established the STAC in 2010 in an effort to create a coordinated, Department-wide strategy to incorporate Tribal guidance on HHS priorities, policies, and budget.  The STAC's Tribal representation consists of seventeen primary positions: one delegate from each of the twelve Indian Health Service (IHS) areas and one delegate for the five National At-Large Member positions. In addition to the primary members, alternates are also designated. In working closely with Tribal leadership on this committee, the Department has elevated the level of attention given to the government-to-government relationship with Indian Tribes and has developed mechanisms for continuous communication with Tribes. 

 Those selected will serve a two-year term. The vacancies open for nomination are:

1. Aberdeen
2. Alaska
3. Billings
4. Navajo
5. Phoenix
6. Tucson
7. National At-Large Primary Delegate (2)
8. National At-Large Alternate Delegate

Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a funding opportunity for organizations and individuals to operate as Navigators in Federally-facilitated Marketplaces (FFMs), including State Partnership Marketplaces (SPMs).  As they have done over the past two years, and as they are doing now, Navigators will assist consumers in various ways, including providing information about available coverage options through the Marketplace during open enrollment. 

Navigators have been an important resource for the millions of Americans who enrolled in coverage over the past two years. This funding announcement ensures this important work will continue over the next three years in states with a FFM, including during Marketplace open enrollment periods. 

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has announced that it will hold a Tribal consultation session and preparatory teleconferences regarding ACF programs and Tribal priorities. The consultation session will be in Washington, DC, on May 21, 2015, and will begin the morning.

There are many ACF programs and grants of direct importance to Tribes including:

In preparation for the consultation, ACF has scheduled the following teleconferences:

* May 13 3-4 p.m. Eastern Time

The call-in number is: 866-769-9393. The passcode is: 4449449#.

More information can be found here.