The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma is encouraging its members to sign up for health care under the Affordable Care Act.

The tribe provides care through self-determination contracts with the Indian Health Service. But members with ACA coverage can help the tribe offset the costs.

"We're still going to take care of them if they don't, but we can take care of more people and better services if we can bill for it," Chief Bill John Baker said at a groundbreaking for a $13.5 million clinic, News on 6 reported.

About half of the patients who seek care through Cherokee facilities lack insurance. So ACA can help cover the gaps.

"We want to meet the need of every Cherokee citizen in the 14 counties that we can and it takes money to do that," Connie Davis, the executive director of health services, told News on 6.

Get the Story:
Cherokee Nation Encourages Members To Use Affordable Care Act (News on 6 1/27)
Press Release: Cherokee Nation building new health center in Jay (Cherokee Nation 1/27)