Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.: Healthcare Economic Impact

At the heart of the Cherokee story is an innate commitment to community. It’s the background rhythm that connects every Cherokee Nation citizen. Gadugi, our word for working together for the common good, is a part of our nature.

Gadugi, itself, is unquantifiable. We can’t measure it directly. But when we look at our Cherokee communities — large and small — we can feel the lasting impact of this cherished Cherokee value. We experience Gadugi’s reverberation every day in community centers; eldercare and childcare facilities; language classes, at-large meetings across the nation and much more.

The spirit of Gadugi resonates in those cultural gatherings and efforts, ringing out loud far beyond our walls.

Our tribe recently hosted an event where we released an economic impact report on Cherokee Nation Health Services, our first holistic look at how health investments resonate throughout larger communities.

For me, this report goes beyond good governance and investment accountability. It offers a significant glimpse at the tangible effects of the greater Gadugi spirit in our everyday lives.

While our goal for health investments is a generationally healthier tribe, our commitment to wellness has become a powerful economic engine for Oklahoma. In 2025, Cherokee Nation Health Services supported about $2 billion in statewide economic output through 11,492 jobs and $781.7 million in wages.

These figures combine direct and indirect impacts, meaning CNHS direct jobs (5,916) and direct income ($418 million) pour into local economies and generate additional jobs and income.

The indirect impacts are a critical part of economic impact. For example, when a Cherokee family has additional income, they may buy more groceries, take up a new hobby or invest in a needed home renovation. Each of those expenses enables new hiring to meet additional demand well outside of the nation’s initial investment.

The health of our citizens is the foundation for a prosperous and vibrant future, but even in the near term, this report shows the incredible value of employing Cherokees to help Cherokees.

As other industries move away from rural Oklahoma, we are expanding in rural Oklahoma. We serve as a vital employer, offering high-wage careers in medically underserved areas. By operating hospitals and clinics across northeastern Oklahoma, we fill critical gaps in care while simultaneously stimulating local economies.

Our vision for a brighter future is also reflected in our strategic partnerships and investments in people. Partnerships like those with an Oklahoma State medical school and a University of Oklahoma nursing school, coupled with our career tech programs, mean we are training the next generation of healthcare professionals to serve our rural and underserved populations.

We have built the largest and best tribal healthcare system in the world, but we are far from finished. With over $600 million in new facilities in development and a $100 million commitment to behavioral health from opioid settlements, we will continue investing historic amounts into our healthcare system.

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