Information forTribes regarding the Consultation with CMS

The conference will take place at the Department of Interior and National Indian Programs Training Center which is located in the southeast corner of the complex across the street from the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.

Attached is information from the discussion held by tribal health department workers who were joined by Santa Clara Governor J. Bruce Tafoya, Santa Ana Councilman Manuel R. Cristobal and Mescalero Tribal Administrator Freddie Kayadazinne. The issues discussed went much beyond what is included here but there was general agreement that these are primary. All present stressed the importance of conference attendance by as many officials and tribal employees as possible. If your tribal officials do not/cannot attend, the workers asked that you request that you be designated as representative for your tribe. Even if your tribal officials decide to attend, you are encouraged to request that you also attend the conference. As a tribal health care worker, you have knowledge and insight into the health care needs of your people and the service delivery system necessary to be responsive to their needs. CMS needs to understand that the tribes stand together in their positions regarding Centennial Care.

It is important that everyone is well-prepared for the conference and you are encouraged to review the following documents:

1. Summary Report
2. HSD Responses to Issues Identified in Federal Tribal Consultation
3. HSD Responses to Additional Concerns Raised in State Tribal Consultations But not Addressed in the Federal Tribal Consultation

As you review these documents you will identify many other issues that need fuller explanation and raise serious questions regarding implementation. There is much reference to “protections” in the documents but an important question was raised in the discussions, “who and how will the protections be enforced?”

Participants at the meeting stressed the need for all attendees and workers to review Governor Madalena’s letter of December 20, 2012 which sets out the full picture of the issues faced.