Cherokee Nation Leaders Sign Updated Public Health and Wellness Act

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner officially signed the revised Public Health and Wellness Fund Act during a ceremony on April 14 at the Cherokee Nation Outpatient Health Center in Tahlequah.

The act was approved by the Council of the Cherokee Nation on April 11 and revises the act which was signed in 2021.

The updated act earmarks $15 million over the next three years to update programs and build new drug treatment facilities in the Cherokee Nation.

The current act is being funded by opioid settlement money.

Cherokee Nation has finalized a $75 million settlement with opioid distributors McKesson, Cardinal Health, and AmerisourceBergen to be paid over six years, and have a tentative agreement with Johnson & Johnson was reached with all federally recognized tribes for $150 million.

In the Johnson & Johnson settlement, the Cherokees expect to receive over $18 million over the next two years.