Along with making health insurance more accessible and more affordable when he signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law two years ago, President Obama also permanently reauthorized the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA), which extends current law and authorizes new programs and services within the Indian Health Service (IHS).

Through constant communication with Indian Country, IHS Director Yvette Roubideaux and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) were able to ensure a successful implementation of the ACA within Indian Country that benefits all American Indians and Alaska Natives, including urban Indians. Such benefits include:

• State-based health exchanges allowing individuals and small businesses to comparison shop and choose the most affordable insurance option that is right for them.
• No cost-sharing or co-payments for certain American Indians and Alaska Natives who purchase insurance through the exchange and whose income is under 300 percent of the federal poverty level.
• Value of health services and benefits from IHS funded health programs or Tribes will be excluded from an individual’s gross income and will not be taxed.
• Medicaid expansion to individuals with incomes up to 133 percent of poverty level providing more American Indians and Alaska Natives an opportunity for coverage while expanding the opportunity for Indian health programs’ third-party collections.

In addition to the above benefits, the reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act ensures that the Indian Health Service is more equipped to meet its mission to raise the health status of American Indians through:

• Expanded IHS services, including mental and behavior health treatment and prevention, long-term care services, dialysis services and more
• Increasing clinician recruitment and retention in Tribally operated health programs and encouraging health professionals to join or continue in an Indian health program and to provide services in rural/remote areas
• Access to federal insurance from the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program

These are historic and important changes that will benefit all of Indian Country. To find out more about how the Affordable Care Act and the Indian Health Care Improvement Act help American Indians and Alaska Natives visit healthcare.gov.

Last week the National Congress of American Indians Executive Council held their 2012 winter session, focusing on legislative issues and the Obama administration’s 2012 agenda. While there, attendees heard from a variety of speakers including EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and the Commerce Department's John Bryson. Both Jackson and Bryson spoke of their long and successful relationship with Indian Nation, the various joint programs the EPA and Department of Commerce are implementing with Indian Country, and the important steps their organizations are taking to help Indian Country’s economies.

Jackson talked about how “…tribes from Maine to Alaska are becoming drivers for a green economy," and cited tribes such as the Spokane’s work to promote economic development programs and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash in California, who are conducting job training and supporting green jobs for tribal members and the broader community. She also highlighted the EPA’s Tribal ecoAmbassador Program that works with tribes to provide funding and technical support to tribal colleges and universities so they can work with their students to address challenges in their individual communities.

Similarly, Bryson spoke about how his every day is spent "putting Americans back to work and helping American businesses and communities continue to create jobs” and how “at the Commerce Department, we have a host of programs where Commerce and Native American communities are working together to bring jobs and opportunities to Indian country.” Specifically he mentioned the Native American Business Enterprise Centers based in seven states across the country as well as the Rural Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge which is focused on spurring economic growth through public-private partnerships.

Both Jackson and Bryson committed the EPA and Department of Commerce to following the example of the Obama administration and working to ensure a strong partnership with Indian Country both now and in the future.

You can read Jackson’s complete remarks here and Bryson’s complete remarks here.

On February 8 the US Department of Housing and Urban Development announced $404 million in Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) to be allocated to nearly 300 tribes in 27 states to be used for a range of affordable housing activities.

“These funds are making a real difference in tribal communities each and every day,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “Projects include affordable housing, infrastructure upgrades, community centers and safety programs that every community needs to thrive. These efforts are part of a broader commitment to ensure Native American communities can build their economies in response to their needs and as they see fit.”

With $250 million in IHBG funds still to be designated find out which communities have already received IHBG funds at HUD.gov.