UKB wins federal recognition and health funding following legal affirmation of status
February 26, 2025 | Appropriations: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation
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The United Keetoowah Band (UKB) of Cherokee Indians is poised to make significant strides in securing its health care rights following a recent reaffirmation of its legal status by the U.S. Department of the Interior. This decision, made on January 17, 2025, confirms that the UKB, along with the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, are equal successors to the historic Cherokee Nation. This conclusion comes after a thorough two-year review of legal and genealogical documents, providing a strong foundation for the UKB's claims.
For nearly eight decades, the UKB has faced challenges in obtaining its rightful benefits and services, particularly in health care. The Indian Health Service (IHS) previously awarded a contract to the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) without UKB's consent, leading to significant health care access issues for UKB members. The UKB has characterized this as a breach of trust, emphasizing the need for recognition and rectification of its health care rights.
In response to these longstanding issues, the IHS has acknowledged its error and is working to correct it. The agency has proposed a new funding line in the fiscal year 2024 and 2025 budget requests to support the establishment of a tribal health system for the UKB. This includes a recent allocation of $5.7 million in nonrecurring funding for 2024, with ongoing efforts to secure additional funding for 2025.
The UKB is advocating for $6 million in recurring funding, which would be distributed across various health programs. This request has garnered bipartisan support in Congress, highlighting the growing recognition of the UKB's needs. While the UKB was not included in the 2024 enacted budget, it remains optimistic about its inclusion in the 2025 budget, which has seen supportive language from both the Biden administration and the Senate.
As the UKB continues to navigate these challenges, the reaffirmation of its legal status and the proposed funding represent a critical step toward ensuring that its members receive the health care services they are entitled to. The UKB's ongoing efforts underscore the importance of equitable treatment for all federally recognized tribes, regardless of their historical recognition status.
For nearly eight decades, the UKB has faced challenges in obtaining its rightful benefits and services, particularly in health care. The Indian Health Service (IHS) previously awarded a contract to the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) without UKB's consent, leading to significant health care access issues for UKB members. The UKB has characterized this as a breach of trust, emphasizing the need for recognition and rectification of its health care rights.
In response to these longstanding issues, the IHS has acknowledged its error and is working to correct it. The agency has proposed a new funding line in the fiscal year 2024 and 2025 budget requests to support the establishment of a tribal health system for the UKB. This includes a recent allocation of $5.7 million in nonrecurring funding for 2024, with ongoing efforts to secure additional funding for 2025.
The UKB is advocating for $6 million in recurring funding, which would be distributed across various health programs. This request has garnered bipartisan support in Congress, highlighting the growing recognition of the UKB's needs. While the UKB was not included in the 2024 enacted budget, it remains optimistic about its inclusion in the 2025 budget, which has seen supportive language from both the Biden administration and the Senate.
As the UKB continues to navigate these challenges, the reaffirmation of its legal status and the proposed funding represent a critical step toward ensuring that its members receive the health care services they are entitled to. The UKB's ongoing efforts underscore the importance of equitable treatment for all federally recognized tribes, regardless of their historical recognition status.
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