In 2018, TSGAC and the DSTAC recommended the formation of a joint Federal/Tribal Workgroup consisting of representatives from all IHS Areas, including representation of Self-Governance, Title I and Direct Service Tribes to review and develop recommendations to update the IHS Tribal Consultation Policy.
TSGAC submitted a summary letter to IHS identifying requests and recommendations offered during the October 2018 meeting.
In 2018, TSGAC, in coordination with NIHB, requested a hearing in the Appropriations Committee on the Indian Health Service Advance Appropriations. On September 13, 2018, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report titled “Indian Health Service: Considerations Related to Providing Advance Appropriation Authority” (GAO-18-652), after the request of this Committee in House Report 114-632. …
Excerpt: “The VA-IHS Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) does not currently provide for reimbursement of PRC at IHS or Tribal healthcare facilities. Consequently, veterans are forced to maneuver through a complex healthcare system and an elaborate administrative process usually requiring multiple referrals in order to address their healthcare needs. This overly burdensome duplicative referral process is …
