The delegation from the House Natural Resources Committee covered a lot of ground on the first day of their two day visit to American Samoa yesterday.
They got their first taste of ava at an ava ceremony, toured the hospital and sat through a discussion with LBJ management on the hospital’s funding challenges, was briefed on federal action impacting the canneries, lit candles in remembrance of the victims of the 2009 tsunami and got to experience the underwater treasures of the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa.
Committee chairman, Republican congressman Robert Bishop of Utah led the delegation which included four territorial delegates, our own Congresswoman Aumua Amata, Congresswoman Madelene Bordallo of Guam, Congressman Gregorio Kilili Sablan of the Northern Marianas and Congresswoman Jennifer Gonzalez of Puerto Rico, as well as Pennsylvania Congressman Glenn Thompson and Arkansas Congressman Bruce Westerman.
Acting Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga, joined by Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga Tasi Ausega, Eastern District Governor Alo Dr. Paul Stevenson and several directors, welcomed the CODEL with an ava ceremony at the Samoan guest fale at Suigaula o le Atuvasa, yesterday morning.
The visitors from D.C. then headed to LBJ Hospital and engaged in discussions with CEO Taufetee John Faumuina and senior staff.
The LBJ CEO impressed upon the members of Congress that the only local hospital needed to raise the cap on Medicaid which is limited to $12 million a year.
They also talked about certification for LBJ Hospital to treat veterans and receive compensation from the VA.
Chairman Rob Bishop:
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According to Taufetee, when LBJ treats veterans while awaiting transfer off island, the hospital cannot bill the VA because it is not VA certified.
He says they try to collect from the veteran themselves.
Sometimes they are paid but most often they’re not.
Congresswoman Aumua Amata has had discussions with the new Secretary of Health and Human Services about a solution.
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Congressman Kalili Sablan of the CNMI said veterans in the US Pacific are not getting attention,
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At the end of the discussions, Chairman Bishop gave some assurance.
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The CODEL toured the Dialysis Unit, Xray Division and some of the wards then headed to the StarKist Samoa cannery.
We’ll report on the discussions with StarKist and Samoa Tuna Processors in our noon bulletin.
Before some of the more adventurous members of the group headed for a sightseeing and dive in the National Marine Sanctuary they stopped at the Pago Pago Catholic Church and all seven members of Congress lit candles for victims of the 2009 tsunami.