Inter-Tribal Council passes a resolution in support of protecting Medicaid Expansion

THACKERVILLE, Okla. - The Inter-Tribal Council (ITC) of the Five Civilized Tribes passed a resolution at its quarterly meeting, April 10 at WinStar World Casino and Resort, expressing support for protecting Medicaid expansion and tribal health care systems in Oklahoma.

The resolution stated the "Medicaid expansion has enabled tribal health systems to reinvest third-party revenue into expanded services, workforce development, modern facilities, and partnerships with higher education institutions to train the next generation of healthcare professionals."

The ITC supports "maintaining and strengthening Medicaid expansion to ensure continued access to healthcare for all tribal citizens in Oklahoma."

The resolution calls for "continued collaboration between tribal nations and the State of Oklahoma to ensure healthcare policies reflect the needs of all communities."

Rear Adm. Travis Watts, a Choctaw citizen and the area director for Oklahoma City Indian Health Service, directed comments to tribal leaders saying, "You run a world class health system."

Watts continued, saying, "Not many years ago there was forced relocation into a part of the United States that was considered unsettled, uninhabitable. That's why we were brought here, and yet today you can thrive."

Watts began in Indian Health Service in 1989 and plans to retire this year.

The ITC unanimously passed 10 resolutions at its quarterly meeting, including:Resolution 26-07 - A Resolution Opposing Proposed Modifications to Oklahoma's Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) State Plan, Calling for Tribal Consultation and Preserving Local Governance

• Resolution 26-08 - A Resolution Opposing Legislative Action that Would Undermine Science-Based Wildlife and Fisheries Management
• Resolution 26-09 - A Resolution Advocating for the Permanent Placement of Superintendents Across All Bureau of Indian Affairs Agencies Serving the Five Civilized Tribes
• Resolution 26-10 - A Resolution in Support of Protecting Medicaid Expansion and Tribal Healthcare Systems in Oklahoma
• Resolution 26-11 - A Resolution Supporting Training for Native Veterans Affairs Service Officers
• Resolution 26-12 - A Resolution Supporting the reauthorization of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 through the Act cited as the "Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026"
• Resolution 26-13 - A Resolution Supporting the Tribal Tax Investment and Reform Act of 2026
• Resolution 26-14 - A Resolution Encouraging Congress to pass the Historic Preservation Enhancement Act and Restore the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Funding for the Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPO) Program
• Resolution 26-15 - A Resolution in Support of State Participation in the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) Program and Encouraging Tribal-State Collaboration to Expand Access to Nutritional Assistance for Oklahoma Children
• Resolution 26-16-A Resolution Supporting the Development of Ibogaine as a Treatment for Addiction and Trauma-Related Disorders

The next ITC meeting will be hosted by the Muscogee Nation, July 8-10.