Cut salaries of high paid employees of the LBJ Hospital is the solution that the Chairman of the House Health and Hospital Committee, Rep. Vesi Talalelei Fautanu is recommending as an emergency measure to resolve the shortage of supplies at Fagaalu.
Vesi told the media in an interview yesterday, he can’t fathom how the hospital can pay astronomical salaries to the Head of Maintenance, have seven people in Finance earning salaries of $60,000 and more, and the hospital doesn’t have basic supplies.
The Manu’a lawmaker said the quickest and easiest fix to resolve the cash flow crisis at the hospital is to cut the salaries of the non medical staff.
Vesi said funding for the hospital is never enough .
Vesi said reports about using bed sheets as dressing are not new.
He says supplies are never enough and families have to bring their own bedding because LBJ doesn’t provide them.
The House Health Committee is holding a hearing with the Hospital Authority board and LBJ CEO next week.
Over in the Senate, Senator Galea’i Tu’ufuli shared his concerns about the shortage of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals at LBJ Hospital.
He said the people’s health should be the top priority of the government but a letter from the hospital to the governor indicates a problem with the hospital’s finances due to ASG not transmitting monies due to LBJ.
The Manu’a senator requested a hearing to look into the LBJ’s funding woes and asked that the Health Committee call in Hospital Authority Board members, and CEO and the ASG Treasurer.
Galea’i said the Treasurer should be questioned on why money that is due to the hospital has not been paid.
Referring to the 2 percent wage tax law for LBJ operations, Senate President Gaoteote Tofau Palaie says the law is clear: all monies collected are earmarked for the hospital and there is no reason for the executive branch to hold on to this money or use it to off set any previous LBJ debts to ASG.
A report that the chairman of the Hospital Authority Board, Leilua Akapo Akapo sent to the governor late last month says ASG owes LBJ $5.7 million.
This includes late monthly subsidies, the 2% wage tax, Medicare and Medicaid funds, and bills for government requested autopsies.
KHJ News has left several messages with Treasurer Ueligitone Tonumaipe’a since last week, for his comments on the LBJ debts, but none of our calls have been returned.
The Chairman of the Senate Health Committee Tuaolo Fruean has scheduled a hearing on the hospital next week.
