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APRIL 26, 2000

Citing factors including federally mandated increases in salaries and rising costs of pharmaceuticals, the Cherokee Nation said the $3.1 million is required in order to meet funding needs for the year 2000. Logo © Cherokee Nation Two area hospitals, the Claremore Indian Hospital in Claremore and the W.W. Hastings Indian Hospital in Tahlequah are affected. They serve many Cherokees as well as Creeks in the region. More than 400,000 patients are served annually by the two hospitals.

The Claremore hospital itself was built in 1977 to serve 36,000 but has 80,000 users and 120,000 who are registered for services. Last year alone, there were 151,000 outpatient visits. About 30 doctors work at the hospital.

Budget restraints have resulted in the cutting of 20 positions at Claremore. Cherokee officials say the Tahlequah hospitial is in a similar situation.

Get the Story:
Cherokees ask for hospital funding (The Tulsa World 4/26)
Hospital staff cut (The Medicine Wheel 4/25)

Relevant Links:
The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma
The Indian Health Service