Lani Hansen/Senior Reporter
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma — A Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council Health, Education and Welfare Committee meeting was held Nov. 10 by teleconference.
All passed legislation will go before the full Council during the regular session Nov. 27.
HEW addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 21-149 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a certain agreement between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health and Waste Management of Oklahoma, INC. on behalf of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health. Representative James Jennings sponsored the resolution, which passed 4-0.
MCNDH desires to enter into an agreement with Waste Management of Oklahoma, Inc. to allow the MCNDH to access waste management services.
The agreement requires NC approval as it waives the Nation’s sovereign immunity from lawsuit, imposes an indemnification obligation upon the Nation and requires application of the laws of the State of Oklahoma.
TR 21-150 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a certain data use and reciprocal support agreement by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health. Rep. Mary Crawford sponsored the resolution, which passed 4-0.
MCNDH desires to enter into Data Use and Reciprocal Support Agreement to allow the MCNDH to access electronic health exchange services.
The agreement requires NC approval as it waives the Nation’s sovereign immunity from lawsuit and requires application of the laws of the State of Virginia.
TR 21-151 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a certain agreement between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health and California Mediterranean, LLC on behalf of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health. Rep. Jennings sponsored the resolution, which passed 4-0.
MCNDH desires to enter into an agreement with California Mediterranean, LLC to allow the MCNDH to certain eHealth services as needed for the full implementation of the EPIC Electronic Health Record System.
The agreement requires NC approval as it waives the Nation’s sovereign immunity from lawsuit, imposes an indemnification obligation upon the Nation, and requires application of the laws of the State of California, and requires venue and jurisdiction for any disputes to be in the state and federal courts located in San Diego, California.
TR 21-152 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a certain agreement between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health and Healthwise, INC. on behalf of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health. Rep. Crawford sponsored the resolution, which passed 4-0.
MCNDH desires to enter into an agreement with Healthwise, INC. to allow the MCNDH to access patient education services needed for the full implementation of the EPIC Health Record System.
The agreement requires NC approval as it waives the Nation’s sovereign immunity from lawsuit and requires application of the laws of the State of Delaware.
NCA 21-106 Amending MCNCA Title 37 subsection 3-301 entitled “Information to be provided” to exempt all Department of Health personnel from public reporting requirements regarding compensation. Rep. Anna Marshall sponsored the legislation, which failed.
A list of all Tribal positions such as names, grades, levels of persons and compensations are published in the Muscogee Nation News each year on July 31. Muscogee Nation Department of Health wishes to be exempt from the list.
NCA 21-117 Authorizing the expenditure of funds awarded from the Revenue received from the filming of the FX Series Reservation Dogs to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Scholarship Foundation. Rep. Marshall sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
The Nation’s Scholarship Foundation plans to establish the Sterlin Harjo Scholarship to work to enhance and expand the Nation’s ability to meet the educational needs of our citizens.
The scholarship of $10,000.00 pledged by Senior Vice President – Media Relations, FX Networks LLC, John Solberg will be initially funded through the revenue received from the filming of the FX Series, “Reservation Dogs.”
NCA 21-118 Authorizing the expenditure of the Department of Health and human services Administration for children and families American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 low-income household water assistance program funds for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Social Services Program. Rep. Crawford sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
The Low-income Household Water Assistance Program of $5,503.00 will be used to provide operation funds for the program.
NCA 21-119 Authorizing the expenditure of grant funds awarded from the Health Resources and Services Administration to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health. Rep. Crawford sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
The MCNDH is in receipt of grant funds from the Health Resources and Services Administration in the amount of $126,605.00.
NCA 21-120 Amending MCNCA Title 11, subsection 3-204 entitled “Compliance for Distribution of CMD Funds.” Rep. Randall Hicks sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
All items shall be submitted by email, certified mail or hand delivered to the MCN, Community Finance Officer and received by 5 p.m. on January 7, April 7, July 7 and October 7 of the fiscal year of the grant awarded.
NCA 21-121 Authorizing the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) funds from the United States Department of the Treasury to provide subaward funding to Raising Native Hope. Rep. Lucian Tiger III sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
The MCN has received federal funds in the amount of $424,351,068.50 from the American Rescue Plan Act and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to assist with the myriad of issues regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and support immediate stabilization for households and businesses.
Raising Native Hope is requesting financial assistance to establish a temporary live-in facility for homeless Muscogee (Creek) citizens and other Native Americans and transitioning them back into society as self-supportive individuals.
NCA 21-134 Amending MCNCA Title 35, Chapter 8, subsection 8-102 entitled “Policy.” Rep. Jennings sponsored the legislation, which passed 4-0.
There is a need to increase the grant amount of the Tribal Energy Assistance Program due to the increase of propane, gas, and electricity costs over the years. Applicants may participate twice yearly and grants shall be $600.00 to be applied to applicants heating or cooling costs.
TR 21-160 Authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a Multiyear funding agreement between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the Department of Health and Human Services on behalf of the United States of America. Rep. Lucian Tiger III sponsored the resolution, which passed 4-0.
The Multiyear Funding agreement is to set forth the programs, services, functions and activities and their associated resources, to be transferred to the MCN for the funding period of October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2024.
For video of committee meetings visit: www.mcnnc.com.