Centennial Accord Plan
January 2006
- Introduction
- HCA Programs and Services
- Agency Activities
- Goals for 2005-07
- Definitions
- Tribal Consultation Policy
- HCA Organizational Charts
- Contact Information
Tribal Consultation Policy
The Health Care Authority’s (HCA) tribal consultation policy is intended to provide a consistent and equitable standard for working with Washington State tribes, while providing a certain amount of flexibility in recognition that each tribe is a distinct sovereign nation. The policy is based on the guidance of the Washington State/Tribal Government-to-Government Implementation Guidelines of 1999, which were developed by a combined tribal and state taskforce.
The HCA recognizes that the unique legal status of tribes as sovereign nations and rights assured through historic treaties create a unique relationship between tribes and state agencies. Tribes maintain sovereign rights that predate the formation of the United States and the State of Washington and that are guaranteed under treaties and federal laws. Since 1924, tribal members have been citizens of the United States and the state of Washington. Due to federal laws affirming tribal sovereignty, each reservation in the state constitutes a bordering jurisdiction for state agencies.
The HCA is fully committed to the principles of consultation and cooperation set forth in the Centennial Accord and the New Millennium Agreement. The HCA is committed to government-to-government consultation with tribes on all actions and issues of mutual interest. Consultation means respectful, constructive communication in a cooperative process that works toward a consensus before a decision is made or an action is taken. The Government-to-Government Implementation Guidelines acknowledge that consultation is a process, not a guarantee of agreement on outcomes. The HCA’s goal is to ensure communication and collaboration to identify partnership opportunities that help provide access to quality, affordable health care.
By implementing these principles of consultation, we hope to better understand and respect the rights and interests of tribal governments. Depending on the nature of the issue under consideration, consultation may appropriately be held between the HCA Administrator and the Tribal Chairs, management staff, operational or technical staff, or with the Tribal Liaison. Our goal is to create durable relationships with Washington tribes and other tribal health care organizations to promote opportunities for partnerships in HCA program areas. Implementation of the 1989 Centennial Accord is an ongoing process, and the HCA will continually seek ways to improve its government-to-government relations with tribes.
In 2003, the HCA formalized the Tribal Liaison position in Community Health Services to coordinate and manage relationships between the Health Care Authority and tribes. The Tribal Liaison will work with the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs, tribal entities, and tribal organizations to minimize health care barriers and enhance quality of health care. The liaison will collaborate with tribes and tribal entities to identify opportunities for partnership in HCA program areas. The liaison provides tribes with a point of contact within the agency to help tribes gain access to the appropriate staff to assist in understanding the agency’s laws, policies, and programs. Similarly, the liaison assists the agency in understanding tribal issues, making contacts, initiating consultation, and promoting ongoing coordination with tribes. HCA operations staff must inform the Tribal Liaison of all tribal communication as per agency protocol.
There are many opportunities for consultation and communication. Operational activities will be conducted between appropriate agency staff and tribal employees. Official government-to-government consultation will be conducted between the HCA Administrator or designee and the recognized governing body of each tribe in Washington. The HCA will make every effort to resolve issues of concern at the appropriate level of authority. HCA will also make every effort to reply to tribal requests for agency comments and consultation on tribal actions in a timely manner, and will be receptive to all requests from tribal governments for consultation on actions, policies, and issues within the HCA’s authority. As issues of mutual interest are identified, the HCA will work collaboratively with tribal governments and with other tribal health care organizations to pursue consultation.
Steve Hill, Administrator
January 2, 2006
