House resolution NO. 9
INTRODUCED
BY J. Windy Boy
By Request of the ****
A resolution of the House of Representatives of the state of montana urging federal action to allow full implementation of The community health aide program.
WHEREAS, in 2019 the Montana Legislature passed House Bill No. 599 to authorize the use of community health aides for dental health, behavioral health, and mental health care services that are provided in practice settings operated by the Indian Health Service or a tribal health program; and
WHEREAS, the 2023 Legislature passed House Bill No. 582 to extend the sunset date of the 2019 legislation for 2 years, to September 30, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Montana tribes have developed capacity to implement the Community Health Aide Program and the State of Montana has partnered with the tribes to implement the program; and
WHEREAS, individuals may practice as community health aides only if certified by a federal certification board or by a federally recognized tribe that has adopted certification standards meeting or exceeding the standards set by a federal certification board; and
WHEREAS, the Billings Area Indian Health Service office, in partnership with federally recognized tribes in the region, has implemented an area certification board; and
WHEREAS, further federal action is needed before individuals can be certified as community health aides in the state.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
That the House of Representatives of the 68th Montana Legislature urges Congress to fully fund the expansion of the Community Health Aide Program and to establish a national certification board in order to enable certification of providers who are urgently needed in tribal communities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the House of Representatives urges President Joseph Biden and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to immediately authorize full implementation of the programs and area certification boards developed by the Indian Health Service area offices and to grant all authorities allowed under federal law to ensure that the programs are able to operate effectively and efficiently to improve health outcomes for tribal members.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of State send a copy of this resolution to each federally recognized tribal government in Montana, to the members of the Montana Congressional Delegation, to the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, to the majority and minority leaders of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and to the presiding officers of the United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and the United States House Natural Resources Committee.