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- By Native News Online Staff
WASHINGTON — In addition to articles already covered by Native News Online, here is a roundup of other news released from Washington, D.C. that impacts Indian Country recently.
CMS Expands Tribal Health Access with Approval of Medicaid State Plan Amendments in Multiple States
Per the newly approved State Plan Amendments (SPAs), IHS and tribal clinics in Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming are now authorized to provide Medicaid clinic services beyond the physical clinic site, including in homes, schools, and other appropriate community locations. The approved SPAs reflect each state's formal attestation to adopt the mandatory exception to the Medicaid clinic services "four walls" requirement for IHS and tribal clinics. This change helps ensure that Medicaid funding can support the delivery of community-based clinic services delivery for eligible American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
For more details on each state's approved SPA, please see the embedded links in this CMS Press Release.
Native CDFI Network Remains Optimistic for Its Grant after Federal Rules Against EPA
On June 18, a federal judge ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency acted unlawfully when it terminated environmental justice grants awarded through the Inflation Reduction Act, including those under the Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program. The court’s decision represents a critical step toward restoring these vital initiatives and may signal how future rulings could address the EPA’s termination of $20 billion in Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) grants—including the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA).
The Native CDFI Network (NCN) remains optimistic about the reinstatement of our CCIA grant. Our dedicated CCIA team is still in place and fully prepared to move forward as soon as the program resumes. NCN is committed to advancing clean energy finance in Native communities—and we are ready to hit the ground running when given the green light.
Administration for Children & Families Tribal Consultation with the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS)
- Implementing Public Law 118-258 – Supporting America’s Children and Families Act
- Federal Parent Locator Service Systems and data including the Federal Case Registry
- Systems Security and Safeguarding
- Employment and Training Services Final Rule
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