Alliance Asks Congresswoman for Help

ttfas

The Tagata Tutu Faatasi Alliance of American Samoa is asking Congresswoman Aumua Amata to appropriate a portion of unused Medicaid funding to assist local residents who are stranded off island.

In a letter to the Congresswoman, TTFAAS said there’s $80 million in Medicaid funds that ASG might not be able to get a local match for, that may have to be returned to the federal government.

“We are requesting to re appropriate $3-5 million of those funds to assist with the plight of stranded residents. This will cover the cost of basic needs along with temporary living arrangements,” said the group.

They told the congresswoman that after months without any repatriation hopes their situation grows despondent in large degree day by day. “We need robust support from our American Samoa Government and congressional liaison,” wrote TTFAAS.

The group is also asking for a straightforward answer from Congresswoman Aumua on whether she stands with stranded residents, their families and supporters to repatriate them or does her “silence on this issue indicate she’s not for repatriation.”

A member of TTFAAS said their letter was sent to the congresswoman last week and as of Tuesday they had not received a response.

 

 

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