The National Indian Health Board will host a virtual event on Monday, October 24, 2022 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time to preview a draft strategy for an outreach campaign during Native American Heritage Month to persuade Congress to include fiscal year ’24 advance appropriations in the final Indian Health Service (IHS) appropriations bill for fiscal year ’23. 

Advance appropriations would help stabilize IHS and Tribal healthcare program budgets by providing a full year of funding certainty regardless of government shutdowns or temporary funding bills. Funding certainty improves the ability of healthcare programs to plan and invest for the year ahead, including investing in healthcare providers, equipment, and other essentials for providing patients access to quality care. 

No other issue under consideration in the remainder of the 117th Congress perhaps has as much of a direct benefit on AI/AN lives, has had as much bipartisan support, and is as close to enactment as advance appropriations for the IHS. This strategy proposes a coordinated and concerted effort to (1) educate and assure Congress that advance appropriations for the IHS are sound, reasonable, and equitable policy, and (2) raise awareness and spur Congress to act now.

NIHB Virtual Event 

Advance Appropriations for the Indian Health Service 

Monday, October 24, 2022 at 2:00-3:00 PM ET

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87455210075?pwd=bVMxSjJySnBSTHViVDFiWFZia29qZz09

Meeting ID: 874 5521 0075

Passcode: 184123