Indian Health Service (IHS) Grant for National Indian Health Outreach and Education on Healthcare Acts

Eligible applicants that can apply for this funding opportunity are national Indian organizations.

The national Indian organization must have the infrastructure in place to accomplish the work under the proposed program.

Eligible entities must have demonstrated expertise in the following areas:

• Representing all Tribal governments and providing a variety of services to Tribes, Area health boards, Tribal organizations, and Federal agencies, and playing a major role in focusing attention on Indian health care needs, resulting in improved health outcomes for AI/ANs.

• Promoting and supporting Indian health care education, and coordinating efforts to inform AI/AN of Federal decisions that affect Tribal government interests including the improvement of Indian health care.

• Administering national health policy and health programs.

• Maintaining a national AI/AN constituency and clearly supporting critical services and activities within the IHS mission of improving the quality of health care for AI/AN people.

• Supporting improved health care in Indian Country.

• Providing education and outreach on a national scale (the applicant must provide evidence of at least ten years of experience in this area).

The purpose of this IHS cooperative agreement announcement is to encourage national Indian organizations and IHS, Tribal, and Urban (I/T/U) partners to work together to conduct Affordable Care Act/IHCIA training and technical assistance throughout Indian Country. Under the Limited Competition NIHOE Cooperative Agreement program, the overall program objective is to improve Indian health care by conducting training and technical assistance across AI/AN communities to ensure that the Indian health care system and all AI/ANs are prepared to take advantage of the new health insurance coverage options which will improve the quality of and access to health care services, and increase resources for AI/AN health care. The goal of this program announcement is to coordinate and conduct training and technical assistance on a national scale for the 566 Federally-recognized Tribes, and Tribal organizations on the changes, improvements and authorities of the Affordable Care Act and IHCIA in anticipation of the Health Insurance Marketplace October 1, 2013 open enrollment date and coverage start date of January 1, 2014. This collaborative effort will benefit I/T/U as well as the AI/AN communities including Tribal and urban populations and elders/seniors.