Don Nickles: “the Talihina, OK hospital is sixth on the IHS health facility list for replacement of inpatient facilities. The Choctaw…”

“the Talihina, OK hospital is sixth on the IHS health facility list for replacement of inpatient facilities. The Choctaw Nation proposes to replace the existing Talihina Indian Hospital with a community facility to serve both Indian and non-Indian people and has developed a financing plan for the design and construction of the replacement facility. Design and construction of this facility will be consistent with the approved IHS Program Justification Document [PJD]. The Choctaw Nation proposes to utilize various funding sources, including Tribal Funds, Medicaid and Medicare collections, carry-over funds and IHS Area and Headquarters tribal shares to support this project for a community based hospital. The managers have agreed that IHS funds may be used only for the Indian user portion of the projected patient workload. I understand the managers have no objection to the use of these Federal funds so long as it does not diminish the current level of health care services. IHS will work with the Choctaw Nation in the implementation of this project and identify and reach an agreement of future resources and responsibilities related to staffing, equipping and operating the newly constructed facility.”