Chief Hoskin declares State of Emergency in Adair County over county EMS Crisis

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - Citing inadequate state and local funding, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. declared a Public Health State of Emergency for Adair County emergency medical services on Monday, June 8.

"Cherokee Nation does not operate or fund Adair County EMS, but we have a stake in its sustainable operations," said Chief Hoskin. "Adair County is blessed with solid local leadership, but there comes a point in time where local revenue is insufficient, state and federal resources are lacking and help is needed."

Adair County operates EMS services through a county created public trust. The Public Trust of the Adair County Emergency Medical Services provides ambulance services across the entire county.

Last year Adair County's hospital closed, creating longer driving distances and adding operating expenses to the EMS' already lean bottom line.

Chief Hoskin's declaration paves the way for a $150,000 cash infusion to help Adair County EMS meet the minimum services needed for the county.

Chief Hoskin credited EMS trust board member Diana Yell and local Cherokee Councilors Joshua Sam and Codey Poindexter with bringing the Adair County EMS funding issue to his attention.

"Cherokee Nation, when we first began, helped us out and again with the closure of our hospital, it's become a need to provide more ambulance in the county than what we're running, so with the help of Cherokee Nation, that's what we're going to do with these funds," Adair County EMS trust board member Diana Yell said.

Yell and a coalition of leaders across rural EMS systems, along with Cherokee Nation, advocated for Senate Bill 206, sponsored by State Senator Tom Woods and Rep. David Hardin of Adair County which would make EMS services like Adair County EMS and tribal EMS services to be "essential services" and eligible for potential federal funding in the future.

Deputy Chief Bryan Warner said the problem in Adair County Is a problem across much of rural northeastern Oklahoma and needs attention across all levels of government.

"Adair county has the greatest immediate need," said Deputy Chief Warner. "But we need to build on Senator Woods' and Representative Hardin's SB 206, harness more federal funds and above all make sure all rural counties have realistic ways of adequately funding EMS."

Chief Hoskin said he is concerned that reduced Medicaid spending will put rural EMS services in an even more difficult fiscal condition in the future.

"Congress passed a bill last year that its own analysis says will reduce Medicaid and other health program spending by nearly $1 trillion over the next decade," said Chief Hoskin. "The state legislature has also promised to revisit legislation making Oklahoma Medicaid Expansion vulnerable to cuts. These types of Federal and state policies can result in outcomes like hospital closures and inadequate ambulance services in low-income rural areas. Those are the problems we are seeing in Adair County, and all local leadership should acknowledge and work against policies which undermine health resources in Adair County."

"We know that what Adair County EMS is experiencing right now is not an isolated incident. We see the shortfall in some of the funding for rural EMS services across the reservation and the state, but due to the leadership of Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner and the council, we've worked together to try and find some areas where we can help and be in the spirit of gadugi," District 7 Councilor Joshua Sam said.

"This is an opportunity for the tribe to step in and become a partner where the state fails at that," District 8 Councilor Codey Poindexter said. "It's great to see local government entities work with tribal partnerships to provide services for our people."

Chief Hoskin's declaration will deliver $150,000 to Adair County by June 30 and will task his Administration with examining ways to collaborate with Adair County and other rural EMS providers on advocating for adequate funding.

Cherokee Nation operates a separate EMS system with a limited operating area that provides some coverage to Adair County, in addition to Cherokee county and parts of Delaware County. Cherokee Nation does not operate and has no direct responsibility for any other EMS system.

In 2022 Cherokee Nation provided $300,000 in emergency operating cash and two ambulances. Adair County EMS also received $25,000 Public Health and Wellness Partners Grant in 2025 and 2026.