Healthcare
Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata is happy to welcome a health care grant of over $1.1 million for the American Samoa Department of Health, dedicated to the immunization and vaccines effort for children.
This grant of $1,107,823 is discretionary funding from the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), directed through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD).
Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata is pleased to welcome a health care grant of over $3 million for the American Samoa Department of Health.
This grant, specifically $3,064,625 for our islands' health centers, is discretionary funding from the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata is highlighting Ranking Member Bruce Westerman's public remarks of support regarding a new or modernized LBJ Tropical Medical Center for American Samoa. Ranking Member Westerman (R-Arkansas) has toured LBJ Medical Center with Congresswoman Amata.
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata welcomed testimony in a full hearing of the Natural Resources Committee by Gov. Lemanu P.S. Mauga regarding American Samoa's economic needs and priorities, including the long term outlook for LBJ Tropical Medical Center. The hearing was conducted remotely, and included a wide range of issues that fall under the oversight of the Committee.
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on the need for additional support for American Samoa's Medicaid program and modernization of LBJ Tropical Medical Center. Amata is an original cosponsor of the Insular Areas Medicaid Parity Act, over which the Committee has jurisdiction. The bipartisan bill would provide stable permanent funding, lift the caps, and maintain an increased FMAP for the territories.
Washington, D.C. – Friday, Congresswoman Uifa'atali Amata welcomed a telehealth grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enhance local maternal health services. This federal funding relies in part on appropriations from Congress in 2020 COVID relief legislation.
Washington, D.C. – Saturday, Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata welcomed over $3.4 million in federal funding for the COVID-19 vaccine effort through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Specifically, this award provides $3,438,384.66 in federal funding to the American Samoa Department of Health (and sub-recipients) for Emergency Protective Measures as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Congress authorized such funding under Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Act, which directs response efforts such as this.
Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata released a welcome home message on the occasion of the first repatriation flight. Her message is available in English and Samoan as follows:
"Talofa and welcome home everyone! First, I want to thank God for this blessing.
Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata announced she is an original cosponsor of bipartisan legislation sponsored by Rep. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan of CNMI that would allow unlimited federal funding for the Medicaid program in the U.S. territories, including American Samoa and the Marianas.
Washington, D.C. – Monday, Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata highlighted the signing into law of several priorities that she has supported for American Samoa, and said she would welcome rapid congressional action to boost direct payments to $2,000, and is monitoring that effort. Under the new law, $600 will be sent out.