Heinrich, Leger Fernández, Stansbury Lead Legislation to Improve Tribal Public Health

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) and Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) led the bicameral introduction of their Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Tribal Public Health Security and Preparedness Act, legislation to help ensure Tribal nations have equal access to federal investments to prepare for public health emergencies.

The CDC's Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) cooperative agreement program is a critical funding source for eligible state, local, and territorial public health departments, helping them strengthen their ability to respond to public health threats and emergencies. Many heavily rely on these funds to meet needs related to staffing, supplies, planning, training, and exercises, but under the current program, no Tribal public health departments are eligible to apply for these funds - including New Mexico's 19 Pueblos.

"The federal government must uphold its trust and treaty obligations to Tribes, and that includes ensuring Tribal communities have the resources they need to prepare for public health emergencies," said Heinrich. "Our CDC Tribal Public Health Security and Preparedness Act gives Tribal public health departments direct access to Public Health Emergency Preparedness grants, strengthening Tribal public health infrastructure, and helping Tribal communities better prepare for and respond to public health emergencies."

"We cannot keep expecting Tribal Nations to respond to public health emergencies with one hand tied behind their backs. Tribal public health departments know their communities best, yet they have been shut out of the very federal preparedness funding designed to save lives," said Leger Fernández. "Our CDC Tribal Public Health Security and Preparedness Act respects Tribal sovereignty, fulfills our trust responsibilities, and gives Tribal Nations direct access to the resources they need to protect their people before the next public health emergency arrives. Preparedness saves lives, and Tribal communities deserve nothing less."

"Tribal Nations are at the forefront of protecting our communities-and they deserve the tools and resources they need to prepare for public health emergencies," said Stansbury. "This bill will help ensure Tribes have direct access to critical CDC preparedness funding so they can deliver safe, effective, on the ground responses during public health emergencies. I am proud to co-sponsor this legislation and support Tribal nations across New Mexico and the nation."

Specifically, the CDC Tribal Public Health Security and Preparedness Act:

• Allows Tribal nations and Tribal organizations to apply directly to the CDC PHEP program;
• Requires the CDC to fund at least ten tribes for emergency preparedness and include a 5% Tribal set-aside of total CDC PHEP funds;
• Exempts Tribes from needing to match funds and waives many of the reporting requirements to minimize the administrative burden on Tribal nations; and
• Requires the CDC to consult with Tribal nations and Tribal organizations and allow the CDC to make certain modifications to the program to fit the needs of Tribal applicants.

Alongside Heinrich, Leger Fernández, and Stansbury, the legislation is led by U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Ill.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and U.S. Representatives Tom Cole (R-Okla.) and Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.).

"The federal government unfairly excluded tribal nations from accessing emergency health grants during COVID-19, leaving communities high and dry and breaking our country's promise to Tribes. We can't wait for the next public health emergency to strike to make sure Tribal communities have the resources they need," said Warren. "Our bill is an important step to make sure Tribal nations have equal access to the federal investments that help keep communities healthy and safe."

The CDC Tribal Public Health Security and Preparedness Act is endorsed by the National Indian Health Board, the National Council on Urban Indian Health, and the National Congress of American Indians.

The full text of the bill is here.

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