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926 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20003 202-507-4070 202-507-4071 fax www.nihb.orgThe Red Feather of Hope and Healing

Inside ThisIssue

Update on Health Care Reform 2

Highlights from the26th Annual ConsumerConference 3

Federal Taxation of TribalHealth Care Benefits 4

7th Generation Promise:Indian Youth Suicide Prevention Act of 2009 4

ISSUE 7-09September 28, 2009

Sebelius Takes Part in the NIHB Annual Conference

Washington DC - “This administration and the Depart-ment of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is committed to making all American Indians and Alaska Natives live lon-ger and healthier lives” said Sebelius to hundreds of tribal representatives and health care professionals attending the opening ceremonies of the National Indian Health Board Annual Conference.

The evidence is the 13% increase in funding for Indian Health Service (I.H.S.) that was included in the 2010 budget, which is the largest amount given in two decades. “This is long overdue and well-deserved,” said Sebelius.

In his address to Congress last week, President Obama an-nounced his plan includes the provision that individuals will be required to carry basic health insurance. “I want to make it clear, that this administration believes mandates or pen-alties don’t apply to American Indians and Alaska Natives. You have already purchased health insurance, it is already part of the agreement we made,” said Sebelius inferring the trust responsibility the U.S. has to provide health care to AI/AN populations.

Focusing on the H1N1 flu virus, Sebelius said recent clinical trials show the H1N1 vaccine appears to have a robust immune response, that adults only need one dose, and the vaccine will be available the first week of October. “We will have enough vaccine for anyone who wants to be vaccinated,” said Secretary Sebelius. She also pledged that DHHS will get specific information regarding the virus to tribal leaders and provide bi-weekly calls so that current information is given. “We know this can change, and may look different in two weeks,” said Secretary Sebelius.

Reno Keoni Franklin, National Indian Health Board Chair participated with Sebelius in demonstrating a new “Flu Bump” which is done by bumping elbows with another person as opposed to shaking hands. Other preventive methods were suggested such as washing hands frequently, and coughing or sneezing into your sleeves or a handkerchief, as opposed to using your hands which could transmit the virus to others. “We need your help to keep folks safe and secure,” said Sebelius urging tribal leaders to assist with getting the information out to tribal communities.

Sebelius said in her closing remarks, “there is a Sioux saying that we will be known by the tracks we leave behind. We have to keep the momentum going! Let us be the first generation that didn’t pass this problem to our children and finally got health reform done.”

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services,

Kathleen Sebelius

On the Hill:Senate Finance Committee continues mark up on Tues-

day, September 29, 200910 am - 216 Hart

Page 2

If you are interested in sharing your thoughts and ideas about indian health service reform visit:

Update: Senate Finance Marks up Health Care Reform Bill

Washington, DC - Senator Baucus ,

Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee,

released his version of the health care reform

– America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009. Last

week, the Finance Committee began reviewing

the Chairman’s bill.

Many specific Indian provisions are included:

exemption from excise tax penalty for failure

to obtaining insurance under the shared

responsibility; removal of the sunset date to

allow I/T/Us to continue to receive payment for

certain Medicare covered items and services;

and no cost sharing for all American Indian and

Alaska Natives with incomes at or below 300%

of the Federal Poverty Level for state exchange

and public programs.

In addition, a key amendment was added to

the Chairman version – amending the IRS Code

to provide the exclusion from gross income

for the health benefits provided by Indian

tribe or tribal organization to a member of an

Indian tribe. For more information including

a summary of Indian specific provisions in the

proposed bill, please visit our website – www.

nihb.org.

This week, the Finance Committee will con-

tinue to review the Chairman’s mark and its

amendments. Once the Finance Committee

completes it review and votes on the bill, the

Senate Finance bill will be merged with the

Senate HELP Committee’s version (S. 1679).

Next Steps for House’s Health CareReform Bill and the Pallone AmendmentThe House Energy and Commerce Committee voted on a motion regarding a

package of remaining amendments that were still pending when the Commit-

tee approved the bill at the end of July. The motion instructs Chairman Waxman

to ask the Rules Committee to consider the committee-proposed amendments

when it merges the three versions of the House health care reform bill into one bill

for floor action. The Committee approved the motion by a vote of 28-22. The Pal-

lone Amendment was included as part of this amendment package. The Pallone

amendment would modify the standards for qualified health benefits plans to

provide for rules regarding Indian enrollees and Indian health care providers.

Next, House Leadership will combine the House health care reform bills produced

by three House committees - Energy and Commerce, Education and Labor and

Ways and Means. In addition, the Congressional Budget Office will need to evalu-

ate the cost of the final house bill before the full House votes on the bill.

FY 2010 Budget UpdateLast Thursday, the Senate approved the passage of the Interior-Environment

spending bill (HR 2996) by a vote of 77-21.

For the Indian Health Service, the Senate approved a FY 2010 Budget of

$4,034,625, the same as the President’s Budget request. However, the House

passed a budget bill on June 26 with an increase of $17.5 million over the President

and Senate’s request. Major additional line items included $9 million for contract

support cost and $2.5 million for domestic violence and sexual assault.

NIHB Government Relations Director Jessica Burger andCongressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) at NIHB Annual Consumer Conference

http://www.ihs.gov/Reforms/

Page 3

Highlights from the NIHB Annual Consumer Conference

Thank you for making the 26th Annual Consumer Conference such a success!

Much information was shared so please visit our website for updates - http://www.nihb.org/news_events/acc_news_releases.php.

Highlights included:

• Town hall meeting with Dr. Roubideaux to discuss IHS Tribal consultation process and internal Indian Health Service reform.

REMINDER: IHS request for comments regarding top three priorities for reforming the IHS is due by Friday, October 16, 2009.

• Secretary Sebelius announcing the support of the Obama Administration for the exemption of American Indian and Alaska Natives from the penalties to enforce the individual mandate for health insurance in health care reform.

• Senator Dorgan announcing that his staff is working on a new Indian health care bill.

The 2009 Jake White Crow AwardU.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)

www.nihb.org

For more information on this publication, or if you have any

questions please contact NIHB’s Legislative Director

Jennifer Cooper

jcooper@nihb.org

Federal Taxation of Tribal Health Care Benefits

In response to IRS audits of tribes that provide health care benefits and services to its members, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held an oversight hear-ing on September 18, 2009 to examine the federal tax treatment of health care benefits provided by tribal governments to their citizens. NIHB Board Member and Portland Representative, Andy Joseph testified before the committee, and his testimony is available on the NIHB website.

In addition, Congressman Becerra introduced a legislative solution to address this issue. H.R. 3608 – Tribal Health Benefits Clarification Act of 2009 will amend the Internal Revenue Code to codify the exclusion from gross income of medical care provided for Indians.

S. 1635 - 7th Generation Promise: Indian YouthSuicide Prevention Act of 2009The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held a hearing on the S. 1635 – Seventh Generation Promise: Indian Youth Suicide Prevention Act on September 10, 2009 sponsored by Senator Dorgan (D-ND). The purpose of the bill is to authorize five grants under a demonstration project for telemental health services targeted for Indian youth suicide prevention, to enhance the provision of the SAMSHA grant process in regards to mental health care services to Indian youth and to encourage the services of predoctoral psychology and psychiatry interns. NIHB submitted a statement for the written record.