MVSKOKE RESERVATION- On July 16 the Health, Education, and Welfare Committee held an in-person meeting. Passed legislation will go on to the next full council meeting, unless otherwise noted.
The committee addressed the following legislation, the interpretation of which is attributed to language in the bills:
TR 24-079 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to apply for grant funds from the Administration for Children and Families Office of Head Start and commit a tribal match passed with a vote of 4-0. It was sponsored by Representative Mary Crawford.
According to the legislation, funds in the amount of $2,969,280 per year for a five-year period are available through grant funding. The MCN will contribute matching funds in the amount of $1,163,183 per year during the five-year period. Funding will cover operational, training, and technical assistance starting in FY2025 and continuing through FY2029.
TR 24-080 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute a Master Network Pharmacy Agreement with AssistRX, Inc (AR) for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health passed with a vote of 4-0. It was sponsored by Representative Thomasene Yahola Osborn.
AR is a technology and software company that processes pharmacy payments and offers patient support for COVID-19 treatments. The agreement will allow MCNDH to bill and be reimbursed for treatments.
TR 24-081 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation authorizing the Principal Chief to execute an Attorney-Client Professional Services Agreement with the law firm of GableGotwals for legal services on behalf of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation passed with a vote of 4-0. It was sponsored by Rep. Yahola Osborn.
During discussion Rep. Yahola Osborn motioned for an executive session. The session lasted 20 minutes. There was no open discussion.
TR 24-082 A tribal resolution of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation confirming the nomination of Timothy Hicks to serve as the Secretary of Health of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation passed with a vote of 3-1, with Rep.Yahola Osborn voting no. It was sponsored by Rep. Crawford.
During discussion Hicks addressed the MCNC. Hicks outlined his plans for the health department, which included continual investments in recent large acquisitions like Council Oak, a Muscogee rehabilitation facility, and clinics in Sapulpa and Holdenville. Hicks stressed population health and preventative medicine investments and said it was important for the MCN to step away from a “transactional medicine framework.” He referred to a five-10 year plan which focused on preventative medicine and education for children and adolescents. He also stressed investments in medical speciality services, like ENT, and their expansion into the southern district.
To view the full agenda, visit mcnnc.com.
