§1647d Navajo Nation Medicaid Agency Feasibility Study

Summary

Requires the Secretary to study whether the Navajo Nation can be treated like a State under Medicaid (Title XIX of the Social Security Act) so it could provide Medicaid services to Indians living on Navajo lands through an organization with the same powers as a single-State Medicaid agency. The study must consider: moving payments now paid to Arizona, New Mexico, or Utah for those people; helping the Navajo Nation set up and run the agency; the level of federal matching funds for services and administration; and, if the Navajo Nation chooses, treating it like a State for the children’s health insurance program under similar terms. Within 3 years after March 23, 2010, the Secretary must report to the Senate Committees on Indian Affairs and Finance and the House Committees on Natural Resources and Energy and Commerce with the study results, a summary of consultations with the Navajo Nation, other tribes, the three States, counties with Navajo lands, and others, projected costs or savings and effects on services, and any laws that would be needed.