Authors: National Council of Urban Indian Health

Publication Year: March 6, 2025

Keywords: Health Care Access, Medicaid/Medicare, Mental and Behavioral Health, Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), Employment, Education, Advocacy, Tribal Sovereignty, Policy

Abstract:
In light of the temporary federal funding freeze, which was announced in January 2025, the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) developed a survey to gauge the impact of federal funding disruptions like this freeze on Indian Country. This anonymous online survey developed in Qualtrics collected data from adults in the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) community on demographics, knowledge of federal funding, perceived impacts from federal funding changes, and needed resources to overcome challenges related to funding changes. We thank those that responded to the survey and shared their experiences to help us understand the impact of the federal funding freeze on AI/AN communities. As of February 12, 2025, preliminary results from the survey indicate:

• Dissatisfaction with the current Administration and its actions, but also with representatives for not resisting.
• Concern over personal financial impacts due to possible future inability to earn a living and provide for family.
• Respondents are experiencing distressing psychological changes in mood due to recent executive orders, memos, and the overall funding freeze.
• General uncertainty in all aspects of individuals’ lives.
• Disruption in services and work. Spending stopped at organizations. Confusion around what programs are affected by policy changes. Many fear for their job security.
• Desire for clear communication on executive orders, federal memos, and other Administration changes from trusted sources. Many respondents reported confusion and lack of guidance around recent Administration actions.
• Noted concerns about current Administration disregarding Tribal sovereignty, treaties, and trust responsibilities for the continued wellness of those in Indian Country. Ignoring the unique political identities of AI/AN people and abruptly disrupting guaranteed critical services perpetuates harm and continued trauma to AI/AN people.
• High demand for advocacy and collective action by Tribal leaders, Native organizations, and individuals.
• Concern about the current and future health and wellness of the AI/AN community, and other communities affected by recent policies that will cause undue harm to the population.
• AI/AN people faced trauma and attacks against their people before and will continue to resist.

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Type of Resource: NCUIH products (infographs, urban data reports, etc..)