Cherokee Nation takes over hospital from IHS
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Filed Under:
Health
The
Cherokee Nation officially took control of the
W.W.
Hastings Indian Hospital on Wednesday.
The tribe signed a self-governance compact to take over the
Indian Health Service hospital. The process took about nine months of work.
“This is a very exciting day, not only for the Cherokee Nation and for Cherokee citizens, but for all Native Americans living in this area,” Melissa Gower of the tribe's health services said at a ceremony yesterday, The Tahlequah Daily Press reported.
The tribe plans to expand services at the facility, which serves members of several tribes in the area. “I can see in five to 10 years more health services to be proud of," Chief Chad Smith said.
The
United Keetoowah Band of
Cherokees Indians filed suit this week to stop the transfer. The tribe says it wasn't consulted by the IHS about the decision.
Get the Story:
Tribe takes over Hastings
(The Tahlequah Daily Press 10/2)
Cherokees take charge of hospital (The Tulsa World 10/2)
Related Stories:
United Keetoowah Band sues to block IHS turnover
(10/1)
Cherokee chief vetoes health expansion measure
(9/24)
Cherokee Nation Council passes health care
plan (09/18)
Cherokee Nation set for
takeover of IHS hospital (8/29)
Cherokee
Nation has big plans for IHS takeover (7/29)
Questions over Cherokee Nation IHS takeover
(4/24)
Cherokee Nation to manage IHS
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Editorial: Keep Oklahoma
hospital in hands of IHS (1/18)
Cherokee
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Oklahoma tribes compete for IHS contract (1/16)
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