Cherokee Nation Adjusts PRC Services as UKB Secures Historic Healthcare Agreement

TAHLEQUAH, OK — A significant shift in healthcare services for United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (UKB) members is set to take effect on January 1, 2025. Cherokee Nation Health Services announced it will adjust its Purchase and Referred Care (PRC) program in response to a new agreement between the Indian Health Service (IHS) and the UKB, which allocates $5.6 million specifically for UKB-exclusive members.

This historic agreement enables the UKB to assume responsibility for managing and funding specialty healthcare services for its exclusive members. PRC, often referred to as contract health, covers care provided by specialists outside the tribal health system.

Cherokee Nation’s Response

Dr. R. Stephen Jones, CEO of Cherokee Nation Health Services, explained the need for the policy adjustment:

"Although we objected to this duplicative and wasteful program, the agreement between IHS and UKB leaves us no choice. Our priority remains ensuring continuity of care, and we are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for UKB patients.”

Under the new arrangement, Cherokee Nation providers will continue to refer UKB-exclusive members to outside specialists as needed, but coordination and funding for these services will now fall under the UKB’s management. Dr. Jones emphasized that all exclusive UKB patients will still have full access to Cherokee Nation’s direct care services.

Dual-enrolled citizens—those who are both Cherokee Nation and UKB members—will not be affected by the change.

UKB’s Perspective

The United Keetoowah Band views the agreement as a long-overdue step in delivering equitable healthcare to their members. UKB Chief Joe Bunch expressed optimism about the new initiative:

“I’ve said for decades, our Keetoowah people have largely been wrongly denied access to the provision of federal healthcare benefits at a level available to members of other federally recognized tribes. Today’s agreement sets the path to deliver health care to our tribal members.”

The UKB has also pushed back against concerns or criticisms, emphasizing their dedication to their members and calling for mutual respect among tribes. In an October statement, the UKB noted:

“We cannot allow inaccurate and misleading statements to continue unchecked, nor can we accept the erasure of our history. The UKB stands for truth and a future where both the UKB and Cherokee Nation work together with mutual respect.”

Looking Ahead

While this policy change represents a major shift in healthcare access for UKB-exclusive members, both Cherokee Nation and the UKB have expressed their commitment to minimizing disruptions and ensuring access to care. Cherokee Nation will continue to focus on serving its citizens with high-quality healthcare, while the UKB moves forward with managing PRC services for its members.

For more information on the policy changes, citizens are encouraged to contact their respective tribal health services.