On May 7, 2015, Tribal representatives from the Tribal Technical Advisory Group (TTAG) to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) met with Deputy Administrator and Director of the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO), Kevin Counihan.  CCIIO is the agency within CMS responsible for managing the federally facilitated marketplace (FFM) and its implementation through the Affordable Care Act.  The meeting was the first official meeting of the CCIIO Workgroup within TTAG and came at the request of Tribal leaders and representatives concerned with barriers in enrolling their Tribal members in the FFM. 

Tribal leaders and advocates discussed the special trust relationship that exists between Indian Tribes and the federal government and reminded they agency that CCIIO's interactions with Tribes should be different from its interactions with other interest groups.  Tribal leaders also discussed the Marketplace Call Centers.  Director Counihan acknowledged that the Call Centers are not as effective as they could be and spoke about the agency's efforts to change that, including installing a new tracking system to monitor calls, issues discussed on individual calls, and the responses from their technicians.  In addition, they are looking into putting personnel with the specialized knowledge of the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) specific protections and provisions of the Affordable Care Act in each of the call centers so that when an AI/AN consumer calls, they will be routed to the "Indian Specialists."

Tribal leaders and representatives felt that the meeting was a good first step in building a stronger relationship between CCIIO, CMS, and Tribes as they work together to ensure that the Affordable Care Act provides essential benefits in health care delivery for AI/AN.  Additional meetings of the workgroup will be scheduled in the coming weeks.  

The Department of Health and Human Services, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) released  Data Point report on May 14, 2015 stating that 137 million individuals, including about 1 million American Indians and Alaska Natives, have a private insurance plan that covers preventive services at no cost sharing.  Under the Affordable Care Act, AI/ANs have special protections such as zero or limited cost sharing plans, which allow recommended preventive services - like diabetes and cholesterol screenings, mammograms, and colonoscopies - to be covered with no copay.

"Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, millions more Americans have access to preventive services, including vaccinations, well-baby visits, and diabetes and blood pressure screenings," said Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell. "These services can substantially improve the health of families, and in some cases even save lives. We urge all individuals with health care coverage to take advantage of these services. This can make a tremendous difference in the health of Americans."

Click here for the ASPE Data Point report.

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. In working closely with Tribal leadership on this committee, the goal of the Department is to elevate the level of attention given to the government-to-government relationship with Indian Tribes and develop 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

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will be presenting a national webinar for Tribal Healing in Primary Care and Behavioral Health Settings on May 26, 2015 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 AM PST.  

The purpose of the webinar is to highlight those programs and services that address the delivery of behavioral health care in primary care settings.  The webinar will also present and discuss historical trauma and its impacts on community; national trends and federal initiatives towards wellness; and methods for delivering culturally competent treatment and recovery services.  You can register for the event at by clicking here.