Health Resources and Services Administration Tribal Advisory Committee

Part P of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 399V–8. Health Resources and Services Administration Tribal Advisory Committee (a) Establishment (1) In general The Secretary shall establish within the Health Resources and Services Administration an advisory committee to be known as the Health Resources and Services Administration Tribal Advisory Committee (referred to in this section as the Advisory Committee). (2) Purpose The Advisory Committee shall provide a forum wherein elected Tribal officials acting in their official capacity (or designated employees of such officials) and Health Resources and Service Administration staff exchange views, information, or advice about emerging public health issues in Indian country, the identification of urgent public health resources and service needs, and collaborative approaches to address the issues and needs of American Indian and Alaska Native populations. The Advisory Committee shall support, but not supplant, government-to-government consultation between the Secretary and Indian Tribes on activities and policies of the Health Resources and Service Administration that affect Tribes and American Indian and Alaska Native populations. (b) Membership (1) Composition The Advisory Committee shall be composed of at least 14 members, appointed by the Secretary as described in paragraph (2), including 1 representative for each of the 12 service areas of the Indian Health Service, and 1 alternate delegate for each such member. (2) Appointment The Secretary shall appoint the members of the Advisory Committee from nominations submitted by Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations. (3) Qualifications Each member of the Advisory Committee appointed by the Secretary under this subsection shall— (A) be an elected Tribal official, acting in their official capacity as an elected official of their Tribe, or be designated by an elected Tribal official, in that official’s elected capacity, with authority to act on behalf of the Tribal official; and (B) have experience in matters related to programs under the Department of Health and Human Services. (4) Tribal technical advisors The Secretary shall ensure that members of the Advisory Committee have the support of Tribal technical advisors to support their work on the Advisory Committee. (5) Terms (A) In general Each member of the Advisory Committee shall be appointed for a term of 3 years. (B) Staggered terms The Secretary shall establish a system of staggered terms to ensure continuity of the Advisory Committee. (C) Reappointment Members of the Advisory Committee may be reappointed for not more than 2 consecutive terms. (D) Vacancies Vacancies in the membership of the Advisory Committee shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the remainder of the term. (c) Duties (1) In general The Advisory Committee shall— (A) identify evolving issues and barriers to access, coverage, and delivery of services pursuant to Health Resources and Service Administration programs to American Indian and Alaska Native individuals; (B) propose to the Secretary and to Congress clarifications, recommendations, and solutions to address issues raised at the Tribal, regional, and national levels; (C) serve as a forum for Indian Tribes and the Health Resources and Service Administration to discuss changes to regulations, policies, and procedures of the Health Resources and Service Administration; (D) identify priorities and provide advice on appropriate strategies for Tribal consultation with the Health Resources and Service Administration on issues at the Tribal, regional, and national levels; and (E) communicate with Indian Tribes in their respective areas and gather feedback on pertinent issues. (2) Subcommittees (A) In general The Chair and Vice Chair of the Advisory Committee— (i) shall establish a subcommittee on maternal health; and (ii) may establish such other subcommittees as the Chair and Vice Chair determine appropriate to carry out the duties of such committee. (B) Duties of subcommittee on maternal health The subcommittee on maternal health established under subparagraph (A)(i) shall— (i) identify emerging issues affecting maternal health outcomes among American Indian and Alaska Native women; (ii) propose solutions and provide recommendations, with respect to American Indian and Alaska Native women— (I) to reduce maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity; (II) to improve access to maternal health care services; (III) to enhance culturally appropriate care; (IV) to strengthen maternal health data collection and surveillance; (V) to address social determinants of maternal health; (VI) to address postpartum mental health and substance use disorder treatment and care; and (VII) to recognize the interconnectedness between maternal health and child health outcomes, encouraging initiatives that prioritize comprehensive care for mothers to enhance child health; (iii) provide guidance on Tribal consultation for maternal health initiatives; (iv) identify interdepartmental barriers and propose solutions to the Advisory Committee for coordination between the Health Resources and Services Administration and— (I) the Indian Health Service; (II) the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; (III) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; (IV) State maternal mortality review committees; and (V) Tribal epidemiology centers; (v) guide the Advisory Committee in traditional American Indian and Alaska Native practices in maternal health services; (vi) support emergency preparedness for maternal health crises in Tribal communities; and (vii) evaluate the progress of the Department of Health and Human Services in establishing regional American Indian and Alaska Native maternal and child mortality review boards, and provide recommendations for the establishment of such boards. (d) Meetings (1) In general The Advisory Committee shall meet in person not less frequently than twice each year. (2) Agency representation The Associate Administrator of the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (or a designee) shall attend each meeting of the subcommittee on maternal health established under subsection (c)(2)(A)(i). (e) Reporting (1) Committee reports Not less frequently than annually, the Advisory Committee shall submit to the Secretary and the relevant committees of Congress a report on— (A) the activities of the Committee; (B) public health challenges affecting Tribal communities; (C) maternal health challenges affecting Tribal communities; and (D) recommendations for legislative and administrative actions. (2) Agency response Not later than 45 days after receiving a report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit a written response to such report to— (A) the Advisory Committee; and (B) the relevant committees of Congress. (f) Compensation (1) In general Members of the Advisory Committee shall serve without compensation. (2) Reimbursement Members of the Advisory Committee shall be reimbursed for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred in the course of carrying out the duties of the Advisory Committee. (g) Support The Secretary shall provide technical and logistical support to the Advisory Committee. Pursuant to subsection (b)(4), the Secretary shall provide for Tribal technical support from a national Indian organization, in consultation with the Advisory Committee, from within authorized appropriations, to carry out this section. (h) Applicability of faca Chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Federal Advisory Committee Act), shall not apply to the Advisory Committee. (i) Definitions In this section: (1) Advisory committee The term Advisory Committee means the Health Resources and Services Administration Tribal Advisory Committee established under subsection (a). (2) Relevant committees of congress The term relevant committees of Congress means— (A) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate; (B) the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate; (C) the Committee on Finance of the Senate; (D) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives; and (E) the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives. (j) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $200,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2032..