{"id":688443,"date":"2026-07-13T00:01:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T05:01:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/?p=688443"},"modified":"2026-07-13T12:11:10","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T17:11:10","slug":"chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-builds-largest-and-best-tribal-healthcare-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2026\/07\/13\/chuck-hoskin-cherokee-nation-builds-largest-and-best-tribal-healthcare-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation builds largest and best tribal healthcare system"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fb-video\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/reel\/3459701547510683\/\" data-width=\"auto\" data-show-text=\"false\"><\/div>\r\n<figcaption class=\"figure-caption\"><\/figcaption>\r\nCherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.: <a href=https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/reel\/3459701547510683\/>\r\nHealthcare Economic Impact <\/a>\r\n<div class=\"h3-responsive font-weight-bold\">Health Investments Reverberate throughout Our Nation<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"date\">Monday, July 13, 2026<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"byline\">By Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. <A href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChuckHoskin_Jr\"><I aria-hidden=true class=\"fab fa-twitter\"><\/I><\/A><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"source\">Cherokee Nation<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"source-links\"><A \r\nhref=\"https:\/\/www.cherokee.org\/\">cherokee.org<\/A><\/div>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\nAt the heart of the Cherokee story is an innate commitment to community. It\u2019s 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.<P><\/P>\r\n\r\nGadugi, itself, is unquantifiable. We can\u2019t measure it directly. But when we look at our Cherokee communities \u2014 large and small \u2014 we can feel the lasting impact of this cherished Cherokee value. We experience Gadugi\u2019s reverberation every day in community centers; eldercare and childcare facilities; <a href=\"https:\/\/language.cherokee.org\/\">language classes<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/cherokeesatlarge.org\/\">at-large meetings<\/a> across the nation and much more.<P><\/P>\r\n\r\nThe spirit of Gadugi resonates in those cultural gatherings and efforts, ringing out loud far beyond our walls. <P><\/P>\r\n\r\n<div class=\" content_cards_card content_cards_domain_anadisgoi-com\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"content_cards_image\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_image_link\" href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/cherokee-nation-holds-healthcare-economic-impact-summit-in-tahlequah\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/10\/healthcareeconomicimpactreport.jpg\" alt=\"Cherokee Nation holds Healthcare Economic Impact Summit in Tahlequah\">\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_title\">\n\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_title_link\" href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/cherokee-nation-holds-healthcare-economic-impact-summit-in-tahlequah\">\n\t\t\tCherokee Nation holds Healthcare Economic Impact Summit in Tahlequah\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_description\">\n\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_description_link\" href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/cherokee-nation-holds-healthcare-economic-impact-summit-in-tahlequah\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_site_name\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/favicon.ico\" alt=\"Anadisgoi\" class=\"content_cards_favicon\"\/>\t\tAnadisgoi\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\nOur tribe <a href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/cherokee-nation-holds-healthcare-economic-impact-summit-in-tahlequah\">recently hosted an event<\/a> where we released an <a href=\"https:\/\/cherokeenationimpact.com\/healthcare-impact\">economic impact report<\/a> on Cherokee Nation Health Services, our first holistic look at how health investments resonate throughout larger communities.<P><\/P>\r\n\r\n\r\nFor 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.<P><\/P>\r\n\r\nWhile 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.<P><\/P>\r\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTheCherokeeNation%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0WDDKbCxKkKJZS9kdVxD4qMMB9dmkamQWeCwA9Gk4xZmmUL6SGrnB7bDY6MTszAkBl&#038;show_text=true&#038;width=500\" width=\"500\" height=\"784\" style=\"border:none;overflow:hidden\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share\"><\/iframe>\r\n<P><\/P>\r\nThese 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.<P><\/P>\r\n\r\nThe 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\u2019s initial investment.<P><\/P>\r\n\r\nThe 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.<P><\/P>\r\n\r\nAs 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.<P><\/P>\r\n<div class=\" content_cards_card content_cards_domain_anadisgoi-com\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"content_cards_image\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_image_link\" href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/chief-hoskin-deputy-chief-warner-propose-30m-university-of-oklahoma-nursing-school-partnership\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/10\/cnoucollegeofnursing.png\" alt=\"Chief Hoskin, Deputy Chief Warner Propose $30M University of Oklahoma Nursing School Partnership\">\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_title\">\n\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_title_link\" href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/chief-hoskin-deputy-chief-warner-propose-30m-university-of-oklahoma-nursing-school-partnership\">\n\t\t\tChief Hoskin, Deputy Chief Warner Propose $30M University of Oklahoma Nursing School Partnership\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_description\">\n\t\t<a class=\"content_cards_description_link\" href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/chief-hoskin-deputy-chief-warner-propose-30m-university-of-oklahoma-nursing-school-partnership\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"content_cards_site_name\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/favicon.ico\" alt=\"Anadisgoi\" class=\"content_cards_favicon\"\/>\t\tAnadisgoi\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\nOur vision for a brighter future is also reflected in our strategic partnerships and investments in people. Partnerships like those with an <a href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/osu-college-of-osteopathic-medicine-at-cherokee-nation-set-to-graduate-inaugural-class-of-medical-students\">Oklahoma State medical school<\/a> and a <a href=\"https:\/\/anadisgoi.com\/index.php\/government-stories\/chief-hoskin-deputy-chief-warner-propose-30m-university-of-oklahoma-nursing-school-partnership\"\">University of Oklahoma nursing school<\/a>, coupled with our career tech programs, mean we are training the next generation of healthcare professionals to serve our rural and underserved populations.<P><\/P>\r\n\r\nWe 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.<P><\/P>\r\n<HR><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-md-3\">\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/23\/chuckhoskinavatar.jpg\" alt=\"Chuck Hoskin Jr\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\" class=\"rounded-circle\" \/><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"col-md-9\"><EM><A href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChuckHoskin_Jr\">Chuck Hoskin Jr.<\/A> \r\nis the 18th elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, the largest Indian \r\ntribe in the United States. He is only the second elected Principal Chief of the \r\nCherokee Nation from Vinita, the first being Thomas Buffington, who served from \r\n1899-1903. Prior to being elected Principal Chief, Hoskin served as the tribe\u2019s \r\nSecretary of State. He also formerly served as a member of the Council of the \r\nCherokee Nation, representing District 11 for six years.<\/EM><\/div><\/div><HR>\r\n<img src=https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/13\/ChuckHoskin-3.jpg width=0 height=0 class=invisible>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The health of our citizens is the foundation for a prosperous and vibrant future.","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":688491,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_vp_format_video_url":"","_vp_image_focal_point":[],"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[19,9],"tags":[77,76,71,128,121,175,127,102],"class_list":["post-688443","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","category-opinion","tag-cherokee","tag-chuck-hoskin","tag-economic-development","tag-elders","tag-employment","tag-languages","tag-oklahoma","tag-youth","no-wpautop"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/13\/ChuckHoskin-3.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pcoJ7g-2T5V","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/688443","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=688443"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/688443\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":688534,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/688443\/revisions\/688534"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/688491"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=688443"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=688443"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=688443"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}