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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
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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, said improvements span a range of opportunities, from recommendations to Indian Health Service, to the delivery of certain service under compact, to complete assumption of operations of Claremore Indian Hospital;
WHEREAS, a study of these issues by Health Services in the executive branch, would assist the Principal Chief and the Council in further exploring opportunities for improvements at Claremore Indian Hospital;
WHEREAS, an interim report of the study shall occur at roughly six (6) months and should be reported to the Council via a written document provided to the Speaker of the Council no later than May 31, 2022.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CHEROKEE NATION that the Council of the Cherokee Nation supports a study by Health Services in the executive branch to examine opportunities for improvements to heath services delivered through Claremore Indian Hospital consistent with this resolution and that such study be completed and delivered to the Speaker of the Council no later than September 30, 2023.