United Keetoowah Band (UKB) Announces Intent to Contract to Provide Health Care Services at Indian Health Services (IHS) Facilities within the Tahlequah Service Unit

Tahlequah, Okla. -- The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma (UKB), a federally recognized Indian Tribe located in Eastern Oklahoma today announced its intent to contract all Indian Health Services facilities in the Tahlequah Services Unit. The UKB which is comprised of approximately 12,000 members, 97% of whom live within the boundaries of its tribal jurisdiction (14 counties in eastern Oklahoma) have traditionally been underserved by the IHS facilities in the area. The failure of the current IHS system to provide adequate care to the Keetooowah Cherokee people has provided the primary emphasis for this effort.

The UKB membership, which consists of Cherokee Indians of one-quarter blood or more have faced many cultural barriers to acquiring the health care they are eligible for and negotiations with the current Administration of the IHS facilities in the Tahlequah Service Unit have not resulted in positive changes for the Keetoowah Cherokee people. The UKB are also concerned that a proposal made by another Tribe to provide services in the area will not address the real health care problems faced by eligible Indians in the Tahlequah service unit nor will it adequately protect the present employees of the facilities at the Tahlequah Service Unit Facility. Although the UKB requires all members be ¼ degree blood quantum this has no bearing or connection to eligibility for IHS services.

Keetoowah Cherokee Chief George Wickliffe states that the UKB plan is designed to "provide the maximum health care benefits that can be provided to IHS eligible Indians. A large factor in our action is to retain the services of the dedicated health care providers presently employed in the Tahlequah Service Unit."

Robert McSwain, the Acting Director of the IHS was informed of the UKB's intent to contract to provide health care services at Indian Health Service facilities in the Tahlequah Service Unit. This Unit includes not only W.W. Hastings Indian Hospital but also other federally funded health service units, health programs and clinics operated or staffed by IHS. The UKB anticipates immediate discussions with the IHS as the UKB presents its initial contract proposal to the IHS. Efforts to discuss this plan will also be made with the present Tahlequah Service Unit employees as part of an effort to retain present IHS employees after the facilities are operated by the UKB.

For more information regarding the UKB plan, please contact Ken Bellmard at (405) 272-9241.