AIPC the Leadership institute and NMCLP Medicaid Expansion

THE ALL INDIAN PUEBLO COUNCIL,
THE LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE AND THE
NEW MEXICO CENTER ON LAW AND POVERTY

Invite you to a convening to discuss the

MEDICAID EXPANSION -  What would it mean for Tribal health care services?

October 17th -  9:00am to 1:00pm at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Silver & Turquoise Room

Registration form and agenda will be sent to you next week.

            In the next months Governor Susana Martinez will decide if the State of New Mexico will take advantage of a provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to expand Medicaid services that will provide health care for 170,000 low-income citizens who now have no health care coverage.  Of the 170,000 uncovered persons are approximately 24,000 adult Native people and 13,000 Native children.  The All Indian Pueblo Council, the Leadership Institute and the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty are convening a discussion to examine the impact of Medicaid Expansion on Native communities.  The convening will be held at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center on October 17 at 9:00am to 1:00pm.
            Medicaid expansion would strengthen the Indian health care system.  The ACA included the permanent authorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA).  It updates payment systems so that Indian health facilities can get reimbursement from private insurance, Medicaid and Medicare without losing other federal appropriations.  The expansion of the Medicaid program in our State would be a real boon to IHS, tribal and off-reservation health care facilities.  Services to our people are often limited by scarce Contract Health Services (CHS) dollars and Medicaid can cover the costs of services that many do not get from clinics and CHS.  Increased Medicaid funds flowing into Indian facilities will also provide a stronger foundation for health care.  The IHCIA requires IHS to expand new programs for behavioral health, prevention and treatment, and authorizes hospice, long term care, and home and community based care, and provides new grant opportunities to expand services, improve primary care, and increase workforces through new funds for recruitment, retention, and training.
            Enrollment of children in Medicaid is not dependent on the expansion of the Medicaid program. However, serious disparities in children’s enrollment can be greatly reduced if their parents become eligible for the program through the Medicaid expansion.  The Medicaid program mandates services that include physician services, hospital services, laboratory and ex-ray services, family planning services and supplies, pregnancy-related services, pediatric and family nurse practitioner services, nurse midwife services, nursing facility services for individuals 21 and older, home health care for person eligible for nursing facility services, transportation services, and medical and surgical services of a dentist.  The program also mandates Early and Periodic Screening and Diagnostic Testing (EPSDT) for individuals under 21 which include screening, preventive and early intervention services and diagnostic services and treatment determined to be necessary to correct or ameliorate children’s acute and chronic physical
and mental health conditions.  The EPSDT is a significant resource for our children and tribal health care efforts to promote children’s healthy development.
            Expansion of Medicaid presents an opportunity for tribal and off-reservation health care facilities to expand and strengthen services to our people.  It is important that all of us understand these opportunities so that tribes and off-reservation communities can build upon the gains that have been made in recent years.  We hope that you will convene with tribal officials and health care workers to examine this important opportunity.  Registration form and agenda will be sent to you next week.


Kim Posich
Executive Director
New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty
505-255-2840
www.nmpovertylaw.org