United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians Chief Jeff Wacoche Testifies Before Congress, Urges Recurring IHS Funding for UKB Tribal Health Services

Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma Opposes Expanded Healthcare Funding on Cherokee Reservation in Testimony

UKB Chief Jeff Wacoche testifies in Washington, D.C. last week (courtesy photo).

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 27, 2025 Chief Jeff Wacoche of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (UKB) testified Tuesday, February 25 before the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, advocating for the inclusion of UKB in the New Tribes Indian Health Service (IHS) funding line to secure recurring federal funding for the Tribe’s health care programs.

While the UKB celebrates the initial and long-overdue funding to support its Purchased and Referred Care (PRC) and Clinic programs, the Tribe needs assurance of continued funding to be able to adequately care for its tribal members.

“The United Keetoowah Band has received initial funding, but without inclusion in the New Tribes IHS funding line, the future health of our tribal members is dependent on yearly nonrecurring funding,” said Chief Wacoche. “We need a permanent funding mechanism to ensure that members of the UKB receive the care they are entitled to—not just one year at a time, but for generations to come.”

Before the same congressional committee, the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma Chief used his opportunity to testify about his tribe’s priorities to block UKB’s health funding. With all the big issues that the two successors to the historic Cherokee Nation face in northeastern Oklahoma, he squandered the opportunity to support better healthcare on the Cherokee Reservation.

In his statement, Chief Wacoche addressed CNO-raised concern about duplication of funding, making it clear that UKB’s request does not take away from or duplicate existing IHS allocations. As a federally recognized Tribe and a legal successor to the historic Cherokee Nation, UKB is entitled to its fair share of federal health funding, just like other similarly situated Tribes.

“The UKB’s request for recurring funding is not duplicative; it is about correcting an oversight,” Chief Wacoche stated. “The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) does not serve UKB members properly, and the funds we seek are to provide direct services to our people. This is a matter of fairness and health, not redundancy. The UKB is entitled under longstanding federal law and policy to design and operate its own health programs on our own terms. This is as much about equity in the provision of health care as it is respect for our tribal sovereignty.”

Chief Wacoche urged Congress to approve recurring funding for UKB through the New Tribes funding line, ensuring that UKB members are no longer left in limbo when it comes to critical health services.