The passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) in 2010 provided Indian Country with new opportunities to ensure the health, wellness, and strength of tribal citizens and communities. Provisions of the ACA offer American Indians and Alaska Natives improved insurance protections, such as no-cost preventative services, elimination of lifetime caps on health coverage, and prohibitions on denial of insurance coverage to children with pre-existing conditions. The law will provide a series of lasting changes, many of which are just starting to bring a greater quality of life to all tribal citizens. However, full implementation of all pieces will not be realized until 2014.
Since passage, NCAI has been an active partner in facilitating the implementation of key provisions of the ACA and IHCIA. NCAI has provided federal agencies with opportunities to meet with tribal leaders during our annual conventions and conferences, and has provided tribal comments on a number of key implementation questions over time.
NCAI, in partnership with the National Indian Health Board, continues to provide weekly updates to tribal leaders, health directors, and consumers. In addition, the organizations co-host training on implemented provisions of the law that directly affects tribal communities.
To find out more about the law and tribal consumers, visit www.tribalhealthcare.org.