Amata Welcomes Pacific Basin Health Funds

Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomes a federal Pacific Basin health grant. This discretionary funding of $167,000 through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is designated to the American Samoa Department of Health.

"Thank you to Director Motusa Nua and Seiuli Elisapeta Ponausuia for their work with the Pacific Basin program," said Aumua Amata. "Cumulative health funding from the federal government is necessary to meet the medical needs of our people, and provides important support for our health care professionals."

"This is a discretionary grant, so we appreciate this determination by the Trump administration," concluded Amata. "Thank you to HHS Secretary Alex Azar and HRSA Administrator George Sigounas for their leadership in ensuring continued availability of services."

Pacific Basin Grants are an activity of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). HRSA's mission from Congress is to provide health care and support to geographically isolated populations, such as American Samoa. The administration works to deliver services and improve health care in these places, and to populations that are economically or medically in need. Notably, nearly 90 percent of HRSA's budget is sent out as grants and cooperative agreements.

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