Regional
Meeting
Pueblo of
Santa AnaMarch 22, 2013
I’d first like
to thank the Pueblo of Santa Ana (Tamaya) for hosting and providing the
location, as well as the refreshments.
I would also
like to thank all the presenters, Southwest Women’s Law Center, Pueblo of Jemez
and NCPSSM, for giving comprehensive presentations on the NM HIX, Tribal
Programs Development, and Social Security.
The meeting
Started with an opening Prayer from Santa Ana Pueblo Lt. GovernorIntroductions of NMICoA Health Committee members, Presenters and audience members were given.
Paige Duhamel, Staff Attorney from the Southwest
Women’s Law Center, gave a power point presentation (included with this
document) on the NM Health Insurance Exchange, from Development, to its current
status and approved legislation that will govern the NM HIX going forward. There is a lot of speculation that even with
the new legislation, NM will not be able to make certain deadlines in order to implement
the HIX. Other topics not covered
include:
·
Native
American Work Group (NAWG) being disbanded until after the Legislative session
and because the House and Senate bills called for Advisory committees to be
developed and selected by State officials taking place of the NAWG. Unofficially, because members sent a letter
(Attached) demanding that the state release the $1.3 million so that Tribes can
start to develop the purposed Native American Service Center (NASC). This project had been approved by the Office
of Health Care Reform and CCIIO/HHS and was being looked at as a model for
other States with Tribal populations or for Tribal populations as a technical
resource by region.
·
NAWG
recommendation for Tribal Leaders to Evoke Tribal Consultation with HHS and
CCIIO regarding the NMHIX, which to date has not NM HSD has not officially
consulted with Tribal leaders about the impacts the HIX may have on Tribal
Populations. A Template Letter
(Attached) was developed by NAWG members for Tribal Leaders to consider.
You can reach
Paige Duhamel for additional questions, or to schedule an informational meeting
for your community at
Paige DuhamelHealthcare Staff Attorney
Southwest Women’s Law Center
1410 Coal Avenue SW
Albuquerque, NM 87104
Telephone: 505-244-0502
Facsimile: 505-244-0506
pduhamel@swwomenslaw.org
Evelyn Blanchard from the NM Center on Law and Poverty, gave a brief background on the development and outcome regarding Representative James Roger Madalena’s House Bill 376 “Native American Opt out of Managed Care”, which would have exempted all Medicaid Eligible Native Americans in NM from being mandated into a managed care organization (MCO). Currently CMS has dictated to the State that Children and young adults will remain opted-out of managed care with the ability to opt-in. Elders and disabled Native Americans would still be continued to be automatically enrolled into a MCO. HB 376 Passed every committee in the House and a House floor vote 60-7. HB 376 passed Senate IAC and Judiciary Committees unanimously but was stopped in the Senate Finance committee due to an aide to Sen. John Author Smith not agreeing to the opt-in opt-out of Native Americans on a month to month basis. For more information visit www.Nahainformation.blogspot.com
April Wilkinson and Lisa Maves from the Pueblo of Jemez gave a presentation (Attached) on Tribal Health Department’s interaction with the State on NM regarding the development and submission of the CMS 1115 Research and Demonstration Waiver “Centennial Care”. April explained Jemez experience with 638, Third party billing, contracting with MCO, and opposition to Centennial Care. Lisa described the Jemez ability to care coordinate and their experience with MCO “Service Coordinators”. Lisa gave several examples of Jemez interventions into the coordination of care Jemez tribal members. Both expressed the Pueblo of Jemez’s willingness to consult with other Tribes regarding 638 development, best practices, and contracting with MCOs. You can contact them at:
Pueblo of Jemez Tribal Administration 575-834-7359
Jemez Health and Human Services 575-834-7413
Leroy Aragon from the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM) spoke about the myths of Social Security and Medicare and gave the facts. Roy, explained Cost of Living Adjustments, Chained CPU, proposed changes to Aged eligibilities, and politics of Washington DC and Social Security. He fielded questions from the audience members. Roy is available to speak to Elders in Tribal communities he can be reached at:
Roy Aragon
Regional Organizer
NCPSSM
(505) 884-3946
aragonr@ncpssm.org
Closing
prayer was given Former Governor, Andrew Gallegos, from Santa Ana Pueblo
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