Thursday, April 17, 2025
4/17/2025
Cherokee Nation CIH Planning Project - Cherokee Nation (CN) is applying to the HHS-2022-IHS-TSGP-0002. Cherokee Nation is planning a study and analysis on the possibility of an expansion of the programs, Services, Functions and Activities, (PSFAs) and associated Tribal Shares from the Claremore Indian Hospital (CIH) located in Claremore, Oklahoma. This would be an amendment to the current Indian Self Determination Education Assistance Act Self Governance Compact and Funding Agreement. The analysis will include a study at all levels of the IHS and associated PSFAs and Tribal Shares relative to Claremore Indian Hospital. The plan involves collecting a significant amount of data for analysis regarding Self Governance financial data and more specifically, to CIH financial situation, to assist in making an informed decision to compact CIH. The data set collection in the planning process encompasses typical Self Governance data, e.g. Tribal Share/PFSA Tables, Program formulas, Policies etc. The second data set of collections is more in-depth to CIH, consisting of organizational charts, number of staffing, inventory, Purchased and Referred Care (PRC), Carryover accounts, Collections, demographics, etc. If IHS selects CN to participate in this planning cooperative agreement, it will offer an opportunity for a new partnership for IHS to take this journey with CN for planning and analysis. This opportunity is more than just about a funding opportunity it is also about the agencies technical assistance and updated timely information to enable us in making an informed decision impacting CN tribal citizens and the patients served. It is exciting times for CN with the capital investments the tribe is making to improve the healthcare delivery system and replacement of old facilities. The CIH project could be the next infrastructure improvement project to serve the next 7 generations. CN has already upgraded the Electronic Health Records (EHR) system from RPMS to the Cerner platform at the Cherokee WW Hastings Hospital, so this study and analysis will also involve a Health Information Technology (HIT) assessment of what will be required for a system conversion. This project will study the organizational capacity and integration of the CIH with the CN structure and HIT system assessment. The work plan identifies a timeline with metrics to monitor progress to ensure the targeted outcomes are within the 12 month period with estimated start time of September 30, 2022. The budget request reflects the $180,000 to support staffing to conduct the research and analysis. The project team consists of the project lead, financial analysts and HIT expert. The budget also includes travel for the team to meet face-to-face with the IHS administration at the Area Office located in Oklahoma City and hospital staff in Claremore, Oklahoma. The travel budget includes trips for all four staff to allow for variations in scheduling. Zoom will provide for routine meetings. This funding will provide resources to conduct the research and analysis to study the CIH PSFAs and associated Tribal Shares for the CN. CN’s resources are committed to improving infrastructures in various counties of the reservation across the 14 counties, to improve health care, and moving toward the goal of creating access to care within a 30 minute radius. This funding opportunity to plan and analyze, can certainly assist to move the CIH project forward. The work plan delivers all the elements outlined in the federal register’s notice of funding opportunity. The CIH project fits right into the long range plans to operate a seamless health care delivery model, where primary and tertiary health care facilities complement each other. Approval for CN to participate in this Planning Cooperative Agreement, offers an avenue for both parties to work together to ensure the best outcomes that are beneficial to all parties, the patients served, employees, Tribal Citizens, and Cherokee Nation plan.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).