Every Cherokee Nation citizen deserves a long and healthy life. I believe that means access to quality health care, and as Principal Chief, I made a commitment to our people to address this critical issue. Last year, we increased the percentage of our profits that fund health care services by an additional five percent. But that wasn’t enough. I am proud to announce the Cherokee Nation Businesses (CNB) authorized $100 million, primarily from casino profits, to fund renovations and expansions at four Cherokee Nation health centers and build a new 100 bed surgical hospital in Tahlequah, the capitol of the Cherokee Nation.

For the first time ever, we are directly utilizing our businesses profits to grow tribal infrastructure and improve the health of our people. We are at a moment in time when we can make the right kind of choices that will reap benefits for generations of Cherokee citizens. This investment sets a national precedent for a tribal sovereign government making strategic long term investments in systematic health care solutions, all directly funded by profits from our casinos and other businesses.

Our goal is to reduce wait times, improve the lives of elders, ease the burden of those with chronic illness, make childhood screenings easier, treat those suffering from behavioral health issues and improve the overall health of Cherokee citizens. There is no greater resource for the Cherokee Nation than our people, and investing in our health is investing in our future.