United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians Chief Jeff Wacoche Testifies Before Congress, Urges Recurring IHS Funding for UKB Tribal Health Services

Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma Opposes Expanded Healthcare Funding on Cherokee Reservation in Testimony

UKB Chief Jeff Wacoche testifies in Washington, D.C. last week (courtesy photo).

By Troy Littledeer | UKB Media Director WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chief Jeff Wacoche of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians testified Tuesday before the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, advocating for the inclusion of his tribe in the New Tribes Indian Health Service funding line to secure recurring federal funding for the tribe’s health care programs.

The testimony occurred Feb. 25, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

While the United Keetoowah Band celebrates the initial funding to support its Purchased and Referred Care and Clinic programs, the tribe needs assurance of continued funding to adequately care for its members.

“The United Keetoowah Band has received initial funding, but without inclusion in the New Tribes IHS funding line, the future health of our tribal members is dependent on yearly nonrecurring funding,” Wacoche said. “We need a permanent funding mechanism to ensure that members of the UKB receive the care they are entitled to—not just one year at a time, but for generations to come.”

Before the same congressional committee, the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma chief used his opportunity to testify about his tribe’s priorities to block the United Keetoowah Band’s health funding.

In his statement, Wacoche addressed the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma’s concern about duplication of funding, making it clear that the United Keetoowah Band’s request does not take away from or duplicate existing Indian Health Service allocations. As a federally recognized tribe and a legal successor to the historic Cherokee Nation, the United Keetoowah Band is entitled to its fair share of federal health funding, just like other similarly situated tribes.

“The UKB’s request for recurring funding is not duplicative; it is about correcting an oversight,” Wacoche said. “The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma does not serve UKB members properly, and the funds we seek are to provide direct services to our people. This is a matter of fairness and health, not redundancy. The UKB is entitled under longstanding federal law and policy to design and operate its own health programs on our own terms. This is as much about equity in the provision of health care as it is respect for our tribal sovereignty.”

Wacoche urged Congress to approve recurring funding for the United Keetoowah Band through the New Tribes funding line, ensuring that its members are no longer left in limbo when it comes to critical health services.