LBJ Task Force Requests Bond Money for Hospital

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The Task Force that Governor Lolo Moliga appointed to look at the problems at LBJ Hospital and come up with solutions has made a request to the American Samoa Economic Development Authority Board to allocate some of the bond money for the hospital.

A member of the ASEDA Board, and also the LBJ Task Force, the governor’s executive assistant  Iulogologo Joseph Pereira confirmed that the LBJ Task Force has submitted its request to the ASEDA Board but he said ASEDA needs to review and approve it.

He adds that the request must also be considered in alignment with Capital Improvement Project priorities.

According to Iulogologo, the basis for the Task Force’s request for ASEDA bond money is to purchase needed equipment for the hospital.

Governor Lolo appointed the LBJ Task Force in March and members are:

  • ASPA CEO, Utu Abe Malae,
  • Medicaid Director, Sandra King-Young,
  • DOH Director, Motusa Tuileama Nua,
  • LBJ CEO, Taufete’e J. Faumuina,
  • Governor’s executive assistant Iulogologo J Pereira,
  • DHSS Director, Taeaofua Dr. Meki Solomona, and
  • LBJ officials Pauline Gebauer and Rene L. F Clemens.

The governor appointed Utu as chairman. Utu is also vice chairman of the ASEDA Board.

During Senate review of ASEDA’s bond funded projects, Senators raised the need to allocate some of the millions raised from the bond sale for the LBJ hospital.

At the time LBJ was in the news for an acute shortage of medical supplies to the extent that sheets were being used as bandages and garbage bags were used to cover mattresses.

Suggestions to use some of the bond money to resolve the hospital’s financial woes were also made in the House of Representatives.

A project that was on the list of bond financed projects, $10 million for customs scanners, was flatly rejected by Senators.

Some senators recommended that some of this money be given to the hospital. 

Later Governor Lolo Moliga wrote to the ASEDA Board saying that the purchase of the customs scanners be put on hold.

 

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