Aumua Announces Grant Award of Nearly $3 Million for Healthcare in AS

Washington, D.C. –Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, announced earlier today, that the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has issued a Pacific Basin Program grant in the amount of $2,940,070 to the American Samoa Department of Health.

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“I am pleased to relay this information to our local government and people. Our islands’ healthcare system is in need of many improvements, and while we are very grateful for this assistance, there is so much more that needs to be done, including obtaining funding for improvements to LBJ, so that our veterans can seek care there,” said Amata.

The funds will be used to support the Pacific Basin Healthcare Center cluster, and the continuing operation of LBJ Medical Center in Pago Pago.

Since the beginning of 2009, health centers have added 6 million patients; they now serve nearly23 million people each year. Today, nearly 1,400 health centers operate about 9,800 service delivery sites in every U.S. state, D.C., Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the Pacific Basin.

“I want to thank our local officials including Project Director, Dr. Saipale Fuimaono for their leadership and hard work in obtaining this important funding for our islands. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress, and the Administration to improve our local health care resources, and increase the funding we receive for this important issue, so that we can continue to make those much needed improvements,” concluded Amata.

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