Press Release:

Phase 3 of Coronavirus Pandemic Package Signed into Law

The bill provides $1.032 to the Indian Health Service for COVID-19 response efforts

Washington, DC (March 27, 2020) – Today, the President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which is the third phases of legislation in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The CARES Act passed the House of Representatives today and cleared the Senate earlier this week.  The bill provides $1.032 billion to the Indian Health Service (IHS) in critically needed resources to support the Indian Health System during the pandemic, including expanded support for medical services, equipment, supplies and public health education for IHS direct service, tribally operated and Urban Indian Organizations; expanded funding for purchased/referred care; and new investments for telehealth services, electronic health records improvement, and expanded disease surveillance by tribal epidemiology centers.

NCUIH has been laser focused on ensuring Tribes and urban Indian organizations are included in the response efforts for the COVID-19 pandemic. NCUIH has created a COVID-19 Resource Center and a COVID-19 legislative tracker where you can find a summary of actions to date, which includes coalition letters, legislative actions, recent news, and other developments. NCUIH is honored to partner with NCAI and NIHB and other organizations throughout this process to fight for Indian Country in the Congressional and Federal COVID-19 response. 

Earlier this month H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was enacted on March 18, and H.R. 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act was enacted on March 6.

“As Indian Country is always the first to get cut and last to get funding, we are encouraged by the leadership of Congress in working to include Indian Country in its priorities throughout the response to the coronavirus pandemic. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Indian Country, Tribes and urban Indians have been on the front lines of this public health crisis yet they have been operating with woefully inadequate funding and resources. Our top priority is to get this money to Tribes and our Native communities who need it most to mitigate this pandemic. We will continue to work with our national partners including NIHB and NCAI to push for parity for Tribes, tribal organizations and urban Indian organizations in future legislation,” said Francys Crevier, Executive Director.

Funding

Indian Health Service (IHS)

• The bill provides $1.032 billion to the Indian Health Service (IHS) in critically needed resources to support the Indian Health System during the pandemic, including expanded support for medical services, equipment, supplies and public health education for IHS direct service, tribally operated and Urban Indian Organizations; expanded funding for purchased/referred care; and new investments for telehealth services, electronic health records improvement, and expanded disease surveillance by tribal epidemiology centers.
• Not less than $450 million shall be distributed through Tribal shares and Urban Indian Organizations.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Provides for a total of $4.3 billion for program wide activities and support with no less than $1.5 billion to be made available to States, localities, territories, tribes, tribal organizations, UIOs, or health service providers to tribes. Activities include: Surveillance, Epidemiology, Laboratory Capacity, Infection Control, Mitigation, Communications, Other Preparedness and Response Activities.
• Of this, at least $125 million is to be made available to tribes, tribal organizations, UIOs or health service providers to tribes.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

• A total of $435 million is allocated for Health Surveillance and Program Support for SAMHSA. This includes prevention, preparation, and response to COVID-19.
• No less than $15 million is to be allocated for tribes, tribal organizations, UIOs or health/ behavioral health service providers to tribes.

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

• HRSA Rural Health is appropriated $180 million of which no less than $15 million is to be allocated for tribes, tribal organizations, UIOs, or health service providers to tribes to carry out telehealth and rural health activities.

Legislative Authorizations

Special Diabetes Fund for Indians (SDPI) 

• Reauthorizes SDPI at current funding levels through November 30, 2020. Allocates $25,068,493 for the period from October 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020.

Next Steps

Congressional leadership has indicated that there will be a fourth phase of coronavirus response legislation. The Congressional Progressive Caucus has outlined priorities, which includes ensuring, “Parity for Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and Urban Indian Organizations”. Similarly, Senator Tom Udall, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs said the fourth package must include a, “Tribal-specific title, and for pushing Congress and the Trump administration to make sure Indian Country has equal access to federal coronavirus resources.”

Additional Information

• Legislative Text of CARES Act
• Summary Chart of CARES Act
• NCUIH Policy Analysis: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (March 27, 2020)
• Udall Statement on Tribal Provisions in Senate Bipartisan Emergency COVID-19 Relief Package Compromise Agreement
• Congressional Progressive Caucus Releases Priorities for Bold Legislative Action to Address Economic and Health Care Ramifications of COVID-19 Pandemic
• Letter from NCUIH, NCAI, NIHB, et al to House Leadership on COVID-19 Stimulus Package (March 20, 2020)
• Letter from NCUIH, NCAI, NIHB, et al to Senate Leadership on COVID-19 Stimulus Package (March 20, 2020)
• Families First Coronavirus Response Act includes $64 Million for Indian Health Service (March 20, 2020)
• Congress Announces $8.3 Billion for Coronavirus with Funding for Urban Indian Organizations (March 4, 2020)

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