Cherokee Nation leaders and community members celebrated a significant moment recently. They officially took over the Claremore Indian Hospital, the last federally run Indian Health Service facility on their reservation.
Now, the Claremore Outpatient and Emergency Health Center will be part of the Cherokee Nation health system. This system manages over 2 million patient visits each year through 11 facilities. Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. highlighted the importance of this transition, saying, “After decades of federal underfunding and neglect, we are taking responsibility for delivering the care our people deserve. This is what self-determination looks like in action.”
The takeover received approval from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on September 23, leaving the Lawton Indian Hospital as the only federally operated Native hospital in Oklahoma. For the transition, the tribe is investing $255.5 million, which includes immediate upgrades of $11 million and plans for a new facility worth $244 million that will open in 2027. The new center will feature an expanded emergency department, wellness center, and additional outpatient services. The tribe has also partnered with Hillcrest Hospital Claremore for labor and delivery care.
About 80% of Claremore Indian Hospital employees who reapplied were offered jobs with the Cherokee Nation. The tribe operates the largest tribal health system in the U.S., and this move is part of broader efforts to expand healthcare across northeast Oklahoma.
In 2026, the tribe plans to open the new W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah, which will have 127 beds, replacing the current 56-bed facility that has been in service since 1936. Additionally, an $85 million Amo Health Center opened in Salina in August. Cherokee Nation is also dedicating $73 million to improve behavioral health, including a new adult residential treatment center in Tahlequah.
In his recent State of the Nation Address, Hoskin emphasized that expanding healthcare is about sovereignty. He stated, “We can throw up our hands or we can roll up our sleeves. The Cherokee people expect the leaders of this government to roll up our sleeves, maintain our priorities, and hold the federal government accountable.”
This initiative reflects a larger trend in tribal health systems taking charge of their healthcare services. Historically, many tribes have experienced disparities due to federal oversight. The shift towards self-management signals a hopeful future for the health and well-being of Native communities.
As these changes unfold, community reactions have been positive. Many see it as a vital step toward better health outcomes amid growing discussions on online platforms about tribal sovereignty and healthcare autonomy.
For more detailed information on Native American health services, you can explore resources from the Indian Health Service here.
