Chief Hoskin, Deputy Chief Warner sign legislation to expand Public Health and Wellness Fund Act

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., Deputy Chief Bryan Warner, members of the Council of the Cherokee Nation and Cherokee Nation Public Health leaders and staff gathered to sign an amended Public Health and Wellness Fund Act legislation Monday, Sept. 29.

The expansion of the existing law will increase the tribe's annual earmark of health revenue funding set aside for public health and wellness initiatives, from 7% to 10%. Chief Hoskin first announced the proposed change during his State of the Nation Address in August, and the Council approved the amendment during a special meeting on Sept. 25.

"This increase means that there will be millions of dollars more every year for investments into improving the health and wellbeing of Cherokee families and communities. There are many ways that we can make an impact on public health, and we've invested millions into these efforts already," Chief Hoskin said. "There are housing needs in many of our communities, there are opportunities for food security, we have provided grants to our Cherokee CCO-participating organizations to do their own wellness programming both within the reservation and at-large, and we have issued $1.8 million in grants to communities, schools and nonprofits to also do their own wellness programming. As I have said before, we can truly deliver a 'wellness dividend' to citizens now and for generations to come, thanks to our strengthening of the Public Health and Wellness Fund Act."

Since the law's inception in 2021, the Public Health and Wellness Fund Act has generated millions of dollars for public health and behavioral health initiatives. PHWFA programs and investments range from small grants to communities and Cherokee citizen-focused nonprofits, programs to expand access to healthy foods and physical fitness, to drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs to large capital investments such as the new Mary L. Holland Carson Center in Stilwell, and improvements to rural water systems.

"Increasing this legislation by an additional 3% means we can start filling in other gaps that we've seen since the enactment of this law in 2021," Deputy Chief Warner said. "Public health casts a really wide net and there are so many different places on and off the reservation that these dollars can help, so this just kind of starts to extend our arms of love out there just a little but farther."

Other amendments to the legislation clarify eligible spending categories, require the Principal Chief to create a yearly spending framework, and authorize an annual fund of $1.7 million for Council member-directed capital partnership projects in their districts.

"As a health professional, we've seen many health disparities across our Nation and addressing these head-on with prevention promotion for public health and wellness only helps us enhance the well-being of our people," said District 1 Councilor Sasha Blackfox-Qualls, Chair of the Council's Health Committee.

Chief Hoskin said he believes the Public Health and Wellness Fund will generate over $40 million annually to fund operating expenses, capital projects and grants all while continuing to build a surplus for long-term projects and planning.

"From major investments like our wellness spaces in Kenwood and Marble City, to smaller projects like sidewalks and playgrounds, these investments are encouraging Cherokee citizens to be engaged and connect with one another not only as a family, but as a community. So, it's important from a community health standpoint, but it's also access to wellness opportunities, so we are trying to remove all the barriers that may be preventing people from going and getting exercise," said Todd Enlow, Executive Director of Housing Programs and Senior Advisor to the Principal Chief.

Enlow served as the Hoskin-Warner administration's Chief of Staff from 2019-2021, but has also worked in a variety of capacities at the tribe over approximately 25 years. Chief Hoskin credits Enlow with the vision and leadership that ultimately led to the creation of the Public Health and Wellness Fund Act, and many of the programs the fund has supported.

Last year the Hoskin-Warner administration enacted a three year, renewable, $40 million package for housing and community building infrastructure under the tribe's Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act. Chief Hoskin expects the amendments to the PHWFA to similarly boost investments in public housing, indoor and outdoor recreation and public safety by an additional $30 million during that same time period.