Tribes That Rely on Federal Medical Funding Fear Impact of Proposed DOGE Cuts

By Cherokee 411 Staff

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Tribal leaders across the country are raising alarm over proposed federal budget cuts to the Department of the Interior’s Office of Direct Service and Contracting Tribes (DOGE), warning that such reductions could jeopardize healthcare delivery for Native communities—especially those relying on compacted or contracted services.

For the Cherokee Nation, the largest federally recognized tribe in the United States, the potential cuts pose serious concerns. While the tribe operates one of the largest tribal healthcare systems in the country, it still depends on federal funding to maintain and expand services that reach more than 450,000 citizens across a vast 14-county jurisdiction in northeastern Oklahoma.

“The proposed cuts to DOGE would have devastating ripple effects,” said a Cherokee Nation spokesperson. “This funding supports critical administrative and infrastructure support for tribes that have taken control of their own healthcare systems under self-governance. Without it, our ability to effectively deliver care—especially in rural communities—will be undermined.”

The DOGE office plays a key role in supporting tribes that operate their own healthcare services through Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) compacts. These agreements allow tribes like the Cherokee Nation to run hospitals, clinics, and specialty services independently of the Indian Health Service (IHS) while still drawing from federal resources.

According to a report from Time Magazine, the proposed federal budget could slash funding to DOGE by over 60%, raising fears that technical assistance, contract support, and funding oversight will be severely compromised.

For Cherokee citizens who already face long travel distances and limited access to specialty care, the risk is more than bureaucratic—it’s personal.

“Healthcare is a sovereign right,” said Viola Stopp, a Cherokee citizen and health advocate. “We’ve fought for the ability to govern our own systems and serve our people. Now they want to gut the very mechanism that helps us do that.”

The Cherokee Nation has previously emphasized the importance of expanding tribal healthcare access, including through recent investments in new health centers and maternal health programs. However, sustaining those efforts requires stable federal support.

“We can’t afford to move backwards,” said the Cherokee Nation spokesperson. “These cuts would be a setback not just to healthcare, but to the principle of tribal self-governance itself.”

Tribal leaders across the U.S. have called on Congress to reject the proposed cuts and fully fund DOGE in the final budget.