Update on status of new hospital and Medicaid funding for American Samoa
Washington, D.C. — The status of plans for a new hospital and continuing Medicaid support for American Samoa — American Samoa’s highest priorities within the massive U.S. budget reconciliation bill known first as the “Build Back Better” bill then as “the human infrastructure” bill — appears to be safe as it slowly moves forward in the U.S. Congress. Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata updated the territory Thursday on specific developments within the latest framework for negotiations.
“In simplest terms, the over $100 million in hospital infrastructure funds we worked for and the continuing Medicaid support and federal match, both have survived the reduction of the overall proposal, as we requested,” Amata said. “The bill is costly and has significant opposition, based on inflation and debt concerns, but seeing American Samoa treated fairly is always a point of emphasis that I view separately from the rest of the debate. My first focus is on American Samoa.”
President Biden and key negotiators in Congress Thursday announced they have ironed out many of their issues stalling the majority party from completing the writing of the bill and bringing it to a vote. Thursday, they announced a framework for proceeding, short of a final agreement.
The initial $3.5 trillion proposal would become a $1.75 trillion proposal under this framework. Surviving the negotiations is nearly $1 billion ($993 million) for the Department of Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs to invest in hospital infrastructure in four smaller U.S. territories, of which (taking into account population and need factors), American Samoa’s portion is estimated around $120-140 million over ten years.
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