American Indian Report - September/October 2008 - (Page 21)

Left in the hands of the federal government, “It would remain as it is from here ‘til eternity,” said Melissa Gower, group leader of the Cherokee Nation Health Services. Under the jurisdiction of the Cherokee, an expansion is much more than a possibility. Back in 2001, the tribe had purchased a 45-acre tract adjoining the hospital. It developed a site plan in 2007, featuring a new surgery center, health center and medical storage facility. Also, because the facility is under federal control, there are federal regulations and processes that Gower said are not conducive to operating an efficient health care system. This leads to the third reason. The tribe considers assuming the hospital as a step toward fulfilling its vision — to offer a very comprehensive and coordinated health care system. It presently has nine outpatient clinics under its domain. The two area hospitals have been under the federal government’s control. “If they are all operated under the umbrella of the tribe, then your comprehensiveness and your coordination is all within one system,” Gower said. The tribe voiced its intent to assume operations of W.W. Hastings in January 2008. It quickly assembled 21 planning teams, one for each hospital discipline. The teams, consisting of hospital staff and tribal employees, were set with the task of determining whether it would be more beneficial if the facility were run by the IHS, a private owner or the Cherokee. Wrapping up in April, the recommendation was, overwhelmingly, that it was best under the umbrella of the tribe. The tribe then entered the negotiation phase, which lasted until July. What specifically the tribe has planned for W.W. Hastings and how much it plans to invest in improvements are unknown. It is still in the transition phase. “Once we get the final plan developed, then we will put numbers to it. Then we will look at a financing plan,” Gower said. “This will all take place over the next year.” n FOROVER85YEARS. GAMINGRETAILCOMMERCIALDESIGNCONSULTING ENGINEERINGMANUFACTURINGSERVICE LEASINGFINANCING ELECTRONICSINTERIOREXTERIORSIGNS 702-876-8080WWW.YESCO.COM American Indian Report September/October 2008 21 YOUNG ELECTRIC SIGN COMPANY http://www.law.asu.edu/ http://www.yesco.com/

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American Indian Report - September 2008 Contents Notes from Indian Country Language Learning Gets More High-Tech Native American Music Awards Celebrates 10th Anniversary Hoop Dancing's Best to Compete for World Champ Title in Phoenix Congress: Activity on the Hill Device Monitors Sobriety for Pueblo Planning for Economic Development Negotiated Rulemaking to Impact NAHASDA�Reauthorization Cherokee Takes Big Step Toward Health Care Vision Preparing a Vision for the Future Grants: NAHMI - Strengthening Native American Families Blogroll

American Indian Report - September/October 2008

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