Cherokees' Hospital Takeover Requires Council Approval

The attorney general of the Cherokee Nation says the tribe's planned takeover of a Tahlequah hospital must first be approved by the Tribal Council.

Saturday, June 14th 2008, 2:22 pm

By: News On 6

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) -- The attorney general of the Cherokee Nation says the tribe's planned takeover of a Tahlequah hospital must first be approved by the Tribal Council.

Principal Chief Chad Smith announced in April that the Cherokees would be taking over the W.W. Hastings Hospital currently operated by the federal Indian Health Services agency.

Several council members questioned the announcement, and Attorney General Diane Hammons ruled this week that any takeover needed approval from the Tahlequah-based tribe.