Title
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF AN EXECUTIVE BRANCH STUDY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE DIRECT CARE AND PURCHASED AND REFERRED CARE (CONTRACT HEALTH) CLAREMORE INDIAN HOSPITAL
Body
WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation ("Nation") since time immemorial has exercised the sovereign rights of self-government on behalf of the Cherokee people;
WHEREAS, the Nation is a federally recognized Indian Nation with a historic and continual government to government relationship with the United States of America;
WHEREAS, the Nation has exclusive tribal jurisdiction over the Cherokee Nation reservation.
WHEREAS, Cherokee Nation has a long-standing and indispensable relationship with the United States as to the delivery of health services to Cherokee citizens, principally through the federal Indian Health Service (IHS);
WHEREAS the United States, through IHS, operates in-patient, out-patient and certain purchased and referred care services (formerly known as "contract health") directly to IHS beneficiaries, including Cherokee citizens, at the Claremore Indian Hospital located within the Cherokee Nation Reservation;
WHEREAS, the Council acknowledges that the operation of Claremore Indian Hospital affects citizens or members of other tribes and any improvements made to the delivery of health care presently delivered through that facility should serve the interest of those members of citizens of other tribes;
WHEREAS, Cherokee Nation has improved the delivery of in-patient, out-patient and purchased and referred care services to Cherokee citizens and other beneficiaries by increasing its direct control over heath services with IHS playing a supporting role;
WHEREAS the Council, in its oversight capacity, has determined that opportunities exist to improve the delivery of in-patient, out-patient and purchased and referred care through the Claremore Indian Hospital;
WHEREAS the Principal Chief, by letter to the Speaker of the Council, has expressed concurrence with these observations;
WHEREAS, ...
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