Indianz.Com > News > United Keetoowah Band expands control of health care programs
Joe Bunch
United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians Chief Joe Bunch signs the Indian Health Service agreement in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, on August 26, 2024. Photo by Lani Hansen / UKB Media
United Keetoowah Band expands control of health care programs
Thursday, August 29, 2024
Indianz.Com

The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (UKB) is celebrating a new agreement with the Indian Health Service (IHS) that will allow the Oklahoma-based tribe to expand its operations.

With the agreement, the tribe will take control of Purchased and Referred Care (RPC) from the IHS. The funding for the program will be added to the tribe’s self-determination contract and annual funding agreement, according to an August 26 news release.

“I’ve said for decades, our Keetoowah people have largely been wrongly denied access to the provision of federal healthcare benefits at a level available to members of other federally recognized tribes,” UKB Chief Joe Bunch said.

“Today’s agreement sets the path to deliver health care to our tribal members. Our executive officers and our tribal council are extremely thankful to our federal partners who have had a hand in correcting this historical wrong,” Bunch added.

Additionally, the tribe signed an agreement, known as a Section 105(l) lease, with the Department of the Interior. The federal government will pay the tribe for the use of facilities used to carry out its self-governance program.

The tribe has a similar agreement with the IHS. According to August 14 news release, the leases will bring more than $1.2 million in rent revenue to the tribe.
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