Native American Technical Advisory Committee (NATAC)

Good Evening everyone,

In the recording of Julie Wienberg's answers to my question at the Medicaid Advisory Committee (MAC) I posted on May 4th, Ms. Wienberg mentioned the reconvening of a Native American Technical Advisory Committee within HSD, and a reconvening of a Technical Advisory Committee of the MAC.  Earlier I had emailed Theresa Belanger, the Tribal Liaison for the Medical Assistance Division, and asked her when these committees would be meeting next the following is the response from MAD.

I wrote:

Theresa,

 

Has this subcommittee been reestablished? have there been any meeting dates posted yet?

 

Erik Lujan

Ms.  Belanger responded:

Good afternoon Erik,

In response to your question below about the Native American Technical Advisory Committee( NATAC), yes it has been established and the first meeting is May 9th. Since this is the first meeting of the year and is a working session, it will not be an open meeting. The subcommittees to the Medicaid Advisory Committee (MAC), which NATAC is one of, is not subject to the State’s open meeting statutes. The work product from the meeting will be posted on our website.

Thank you.

Theresa

Theresa Belanger, LBSW, MA
Native American Liaison (Chippewa)


After speaking with other Advocates it is clear that the State on NM has no real intentions of seeking input on any portion of the Waiver out side of State Employees. In the past HSD/MAD has created workgroups around portions of a Waiver but membership to these work groups is by invitation only and rarely includes consumer advocates or private providers.

These "workgroups" often advise on development, implementation, of policy then HSD may adopt or reject the recommendations of the "workgroups".  Only after this process is complete is the policy made public and open for some form of commentary, usually on a quarterly basis at the MAC meetings.

I have asked Julie Weinberg in the past that I would like to know who are on these committees, and how they are selected.  The answer I got was along the lines of we sent letters out to Tribal organizations ( AIPC, NIHB, AAIHS, Northern and Southern Pueblos organizations Navajo Nation, Mescalero and Jicarria Apache) and those who responded make up the committees.

I would like Tribal Health Programs to look into asking tribal leaders to nominate members of Tribal Health Boards, Clinics, and or councilmen to these committees. This will go along way to help ensure that Tribes are not left in the Dark.

ADDITION:

I just received a copy of the NATAC meeting for May 9th (tomorrow)

 

Native American Technical Advisory Committee

a sub-committee to the NM Medicaid Advisory Committee

Meeting #1   

May 9, 2013

 

Agenda

1. Welcome

2. Introductions

3. Discuss Native American Technical Advisory Committee (NATAC) Purpose:

1. Advise the Medicaid Director and NM Human Services Department on key issues affecting Native American Medicaid beneficiaries and Indian Health Services, Tribal 638 facility and Urban Indian health providers (I/T/Us) during the readiness period, implementation period and ongoing operations of Centennial Care.

4. Discuss Key  issues for the NATAC to address for Centennial Care readiness

1. Member communication and education about Centennial Care
2. MCO training for I/T/Us

5. Create Workgroups for Making Recommendations

1. Member communication and education workgroup
2. I/T/U readiness workgroup

6. Other Business

7. Set Next Meeting Date