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Rural Health
News by Topic: American Indian or Alaska Native

Nov 12, 2024 - The Census Bureau will hold two virtual tribal consultations on December 11, 2024, and January 15, 2025. The two webinars will offer a forum for tribes to learn about its Race/Ethnicity Coding Improvement Project, which allows tribes to provide feedback on how detailed race and/or ethnicity and American Indian or Alaska Native populations will be coded in the American Community Survey (ACS) and the 2030 Census, and to provide feedback. Questions and topic suggestions for the consultation meetings must be submitted by December 2, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 1, 2024 - Pre-publication notice of final rule with comment period from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revising the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Center (ACS) payment system for calendar year 2025. This rule also updates the requirements for the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR) Program, Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting (REHQR) Program, Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program, and Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program and finalizes updates to the Conditions of Participation (CoPs) for hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) for obstetrical services. Among other things, this rule summarizes comments received in response to an information request on potential modifications to the Safety of Care measure group in the Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating methodology. This rule also finalizes exceptions to the Medicaid clinic services benefit four walls requirement for Indian Health Service and Tribal clinics, and, at state option, for behavioral health clinics and clinics located in rural areas. The provisions of this rule are effective January 1, 2025. Comments are due by December 31, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 31, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) making access and parity improvements in USDA's food distribution programs to support access for eligible populations and streamline requirements for program operators. Among other things, changes are aimed at increasing access to food distribution programs so eligible individuals can more easily receive the nutrition resources they need, increasing parity between FDPIR and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), modernizing program operations by updating some outdated terminology and processes, and incorporating lessons learned from implementing these critical programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This rule is effective December 30, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 29, 2024 - Discusses racial disparities in overdose death trends between 2021 and 2023. While overdose deaths dropped for White Americans, deaths increased for Black and Indigenous Americans. Highlights harm reduction efforts across the country and funding issues. Notes that rural areas have unique access challenges.
Source: Stateline
Oct 27, 2024 - Describes lack of access to running water and electricity in some parts of the Navajo Nation, and the impacts on health and other aspects of life. Details federally-funded efforts to extend power lines and improve connectivity, which have faced challenges related to the rugged landscape and the large size of the Navajo Nation.
Source: Associated Press
Oct 25, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) seeking comments on a new information collection request related to the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). Information collection will be used to provide current, nationally representative information on FDPIR participants and local program operations across the nation. The information collection will also provide FNS with a better understanding of the reasons for the decline in FDPIR participation and how to streamline and target food and nutrition education efforts, funding, and policy changes. Comments are due by December 24, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 24, 2024 - Notice from the Department of the Interior (DOI) Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) seeking comments on an information collection titled "Request for Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaska Native Blood." The information collected is used to certify that an individual's degree of Indian or Alaska Native blood under the laws authorizing BIA to administer program services to American Indians. Comments are due by November 25, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 24, 2024 - Highlights an Oklahoma summit discussing food security and food sovereignty for Indigenous tribes. The summit represented a partnership between state and national food banks and tribal leaders.
Source: Fox23
Oct 18, 2024 - Examines high rates of substance abuse and overdose in Native American communities and the impacts of traditional healing practices that address cultural and spiritual needs. Notes that traditional healing practices will soon be covered by Medicaid and available through Indian Health Service facilities in California, Oregon, Arizona, and New Mexico. Provides overview of research on the efficacy of traditional healing practices for treating substance use disorder.
Source: KQED
Oct 16, 2024 - Announces the addition of 3 new member positions on the Federal Subsistence Board (FSB). The members will be nominated by federally recognized tribal governments of Alaska. The FSB manages subsistence use for federal land and water in Alaska. The additional members were added to strengthen Alaska Native tribe representation on the Board.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture