Comments from Jemez

I have three bits of information to share with the group:

First, Ken Reid asked if there are any Governors that are available to address health care issues at the upcoming meeting of MAC. Right now, our Governor, Joshua Madalena, plans to attend the meeting on the 17th. Are there any other Tribal Leaders coming?

***Special MAC Meeting on Thursday May 17,2012 at the Garrey Carruthers State Library from 9:00 am to 11:00am. The sole purpose of this meeting is for MAC Members to provide comment on the New Mexico Centennial Care Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver.

Next, Governor Madalena has also agreed to send a formal request for tribal consultation to CMS regarding  the Centennial Care Plan. We are developing this right now. Once this is complete, we will send a copy to the group. We have revised our position paper, as well, so I will get that out to you.

Finally, Jemez had yesterday what can be described as a “robust” discussion with Julie Weinberg, Alicia Smith and Teresa Ballenger. The discussion initially focused on the tribal vs state position regarding the Centennial Care Plan. In the end, we were all clear that the State intends to push forward, and we (tribes) intend to speak directly with CMS and challenge it, so no change.

However, an interesting opportunity was presented by Alicia Smith. She indicated that though the waiver application has been submitted, negotiations will be 6 months or more. She asked if we would be interested in developing an alternative plan for Native Americans. When we asked if that plan will be submitted as an amendment to the current application, the answer was possibly. So, I explained that I would bring the request to the workgroup to discuss.

I think that at the end of the “robust” discussions, the State reps felt that we (tribes) have valid and compelling issues that will influence the decision making with CMS. We did ask them to amend the submitted application now, indicating that Native Americans will retain their “opt out” status while we work through this. That is just not going to happen.

My thinking is that they are going to have to come up with an alternative for NA’s anyway for many reason, but one is I believe that CMS will ask that they get back to the table with the tribes. I want us to be part of any development of any program for NA’s. Of course, once we decide if this is an idea we want to pursue, we can meet and brainstorm and then meet with the State with our ideas. We will have to get to agreement before the State will modify the State application to CMS.

I want to notify you all now that the State made reference for how Jemez could be identified as a pilot sight, etc. Our team indicated that we want a policy change at the State level, not for the State to do for one tribe. We were clear that the workgroup made up of many diverse tribal reps intends to push forward together.

I hope we do continue to push forward together. Please let the group know your thoughts.  I look forward to hearing from you.

April