Dear Tribal Leader Letter

April 13, 2023

Dear Tribal Leaders, Public Health Officials, and Indian Country Professionals:

I write to share with you additional updates related to the 25th U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Annual Tribal Budget Consultation (ATBC), which will take place in-person on April 18–19, 2023, in the Great Hall of the Hubert H. Humphrey Building at 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC. As in years past, the ATBC will provide a forum for tribes to collectively share their views and priorities with HHS senior leadership and officials on national health and human services funding priorities and to make recommendations for the Department’s FY 2025 budget request.

ANYONE ATTENDING IN-PERSON, PLEASE REGISTER HERE: https://forms.office.com/g/S8QyuYVmDg (-> click.connect.hhs.gov)

The schedule for this year’s consultation has been finalized as follows and the Updated draft agenda is available:

Tuesday, April 18 (9:30am – 5:00pm ET):

• HHS Overview – a comprehensive overview of the Department, its Divisions, and the programs and resources that are available to tribes. This session will be held from 10:00 – 12:00am ET.
• HHS Budget Update – an overview of the HHS Budget and updates on the current budget process and planning. This session will be held from 10:30 – 11:30pm ET.
• Swearing-In Ceremony – Please join us for a special swearing-in ceremony for the new Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans, Patrice H. Kunesh at 1:30 PM ET.
• One-on-One Meetings between Tribes and HHS Divisions – tribes who have requested to meet one-on-one with an HHS Division will be scheduled for a 30-minute timeslot during the afternoon to share their specific health and human services issues with HHS officials.

Wednesday, April 19 (9:00am – 5:25pm ET):

• Division Consultations and Senior HHS Leadership Discussion – these sessions will provide an opportunity for Tribal representatives, Division leadership, budget staff, and senior HHS leadership to engage in two-way discussions on the HHS FY 2025 budget.

In accordance with HHS’s Tribal Consultation Policy, written comments on the HHS FY 2025 budget may also be submitted for the consultation record to consultation@hhs.gov through May 19, 2023.

Thank you for your continued support of the consultation process. We look forward to a robust dialogue with you on the Department’s FY 2025 budget at the upcoming ATBC. Please contact Devin Delrow, Associate Director for Tribal Affairs, at (202) 868-0013 or email consultation@hhs.gov with any questions.