This Blog is a space for the NCUIH Policy and Legislation Department to communicate with NCUIH's stakeholders. The blog includes announcements, news and organizational accomplishments among others
On October 30, 2019, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Subcommittee on Health conducted an oversight hearing entitled “Native Veterans’ Access To Healthcare”. NCUIH Board Vice President and CEO of the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley Sonya Tetnowski (Makah) testified before the Subcommittee with Rep. Brownley presiding.
On Wednesday, October 30, 2019, the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing entitled “Native Veterans’ Access to Healthcare.” This oversight hearing will examine the unique barriers American Indian and Alaska Native veterans continue to face when seeking access to quality, culturally competent care from VA and tribal health systems. NCUIH Board Vice President and CEO of the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley Sonya Tetnowski (Makah) will be testifying before the Subcommittee. With Rep. Brownley presiding, the hearing will take place in House Visitors Center 210 at 10:00 AM EST.
On Tuesday, October 22, the White House announced on its website the President's intent to nominate Michael D. Weahkee to the post of Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS). Rear Admiral Weahkee has served as Principal Deputy Director and Acting Director of IHS and also as Assistant Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Services at the Department of Health and Human Services. RADM Weahkee previously served as the chief executive officer at the Phoenix Medical Center.
On October 1, Plaintiffs in Brackeen v. Bernhardt, the case centering on the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), filed petitions for rehearing of the case en banc. Essentially, the Plaintiffs are asking the entire 17-member U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit to rehear the case, in effect setting aside the decision a panel of three Fifth Circuit judges issued in August.
Today, the Senate cleared the stopgap government funding bill and it now awaits the President's signature. The bill is a Continuing Resolution (CR) that will keep the government open beyond September 30, when it is set to expire, through November 21. The CR that moved forward in the Senate today and the House version include funding for the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) and other public health extenders through November 21, 2019. This bill will keep the government operating at current levels giving Congress additional time to negotiate a Fiscal Year 2020 budget and departmental appropriations.
