"W.W. Hastings Hospital would be better left to the management of Indian Health Services.
The Cherokee Nation publicly announced Jan. 11 its desire to assume control of Hastings, and the Keetoowahs followed a few days later. UKB spokesman Sammy Still said that the Keetoowahs were not trying to fight with the Cherokees over the hospital.
It should not become a fight. But the two tribes have had disagreements over several issues over the years, and that’s one reason to leave the hospital under Indian Health Services.
Many Native Americans of other tribal groups also live in eastern Oklahoma. They, too, would be best served by a hospital without affiliation to one tribe."
Get the Story:Editorial: Keep IHS at Hastings (The Muskogee Phoenix 1/18) Relevant Links:
Cherokee Nation - http://www.cherokee.org
United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians - http://www.keetoowahcherokee.org Related Stories:
Cherokee Nation ridicules UKB bid for IHS contract (1/17)
Oklahoma tribes compete for IHS contract (1/16)
