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 September 9, 2020, Representatives Lee (CA-13), Bass (CA-37), Kelly (IL-2), Chu (CA-27), Castro (TX-20), Haaland (NM-1), and Davids (KS-3) introduced the COVID Community Care Act. The bill, if passed, would establish a contact tracing program through community-based organizations and nonprofits. The bill would also provide $8.4 billion in grants to community based programs and nonprofits to conduct contact tracing with $400 million dollars going to fund COVID-19 programs administered by IHS, Tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations (UIOs).
On July 30, 2020, the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH), the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) sent a letter to the leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations committees requesting a 5% direct set aside to the Indian health service, Tribal Nations, and urban Indian organization (I/T/U) system for vaccine distribution, administration, monitoring, and tracking in the next COVID-19 relief package. This set aside is vital because in previous pandemics American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) had death rates four times higher than the national average, yet were some of the last to receive access to a vaccine. During this current pandemic AI/ANs have the highest COVID-19 hospitalization rate. This vaccine set aside will help ensure that history does not repeat itself during the coronavirus pandemic. The 5% set aside is reflective of the size of the AI/AN population and will ensure equitable access to any future COVID-19 vaccine.
On July 22, Robyn Sunday-Allen, NCUIH Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic, testified before the House Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States. Ms. Sunday-Allen testified 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).
On July 8, 2020, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing titled “Addressing the Urgent Needs of Our Tribal Communities.” The hearing explored how COVID-19 has uniquely impacted Indian Country, exploring critical infrastructure needs, like access to broadband, electricity, and running water, as well as, the disproportionate health impact COVID-19 has had on Indian Country. The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) submitted written testimony for the hearing.
