Title
CHEROKEE NATION NURSING AND ALLIED HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER AND ENDOWMENT ACT OF 2026
Body
BE IT ENACTED BY THE CHEROKEE NATION:
Section 1. Title and Codification
This legislative act shall be titled and codified as the Cherokee Nation Nursing and Allied Health Education Center and Endowment Act of 2026.
Section 2. Legislative History
Resolution 44-23
Section 3. Purpose and Findings
A. Purpose: The purpose of this Act is to authorize the designation of a facility located in Tahlequah as the Cherokee Nation Nursing and Allied Health Education Center, primarily for the provision of nursing and allied health education.
B. Findings: The Council of the Cherokee Nation finds that the facility known as W.W. Hastings Hospital is scheduled for replacement in fiscal year 2026 and should be thereafter redesignated and remodeled for its highest and best use in further service of the interests of the Cherokee Nation. The Principal Chief has advised the Council of opportunities to provide health care education, directly and/or by third parties, to citizens of the Cherokee Nation and the general public in a manner that helps meet the workforce development interests of the Cherokee Nation, including but not limited to through agreements with the University of Oklahoma, authorized under "A Resolution Repealing and Replacing Resolution 67-21 (December 13, 2021) In Support of Certain Health Care Capital Projects Under the Respond, Recover and Rebuild Plan" (Resolution 44-23). More specifically, Resolution 44-23 authorized the Principal Chief to enter into agreements with, among other entities, the University of Oklahoma, to, among other things, support "[c]ollaboration between the parties on healthcare workforce development." The Principal Chief has further advised the Council of a tentative plan to remodel said facility for the provision of said education. The Council finds that the close geographic pr...
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