Committee on Health, Hospitals and Human Services

The Committee on Health, Hospitals & Human Services will be conducting a meeting on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall, on St. Thomas.

BLOCK I 10:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.

The members of the committee will receive an overview and mitigation plan from the Department of Health relative to the following diseases in the territory; Hand Foot and Mouth, Measles, Covid, and Flu.

Invited Testifier:
Honorable Justa Encarnacion, Commissioner, Department of Health

BLOCK II 11:40 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

Bill No. 36-0021 An Act amending title 19 Virgin Islands Code, part III, chapter 29, subchapter I relating to opioids and requiring that a practitioner discuss certain information with a patient when prescribing opioids

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Justa Encarnacion, Commissioner, Department of Health
Honorable Gordon C. Rhea, Attorney General, Department of Justice
Mr. Frank Odlum, MD, Chairman, Virgin Islands Medical Examiners

BLOCK III 1:45 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.

Bill No. 36-0035 An Act amending title 15 Virgin Islands Code, article V to allow the Government of the Virgin Islands to implement the federal mandate of the Stephen J. Beck, Jr., Achieving Better Life Experiences, which provides for the establishment of savings accounts for persons with disabilities

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Kevin McCurdy, Commissioner Department of Finance
Hinda Carbon, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Bar
Mr. Angus Drigo, Executive Director, Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands
Mr. Christopher Finch, Former Chairman, Virgin Islands Government Health and Hospitals Corporation
Mr. Julien Henley, Sr., ADA Coordinator, Office of the Governor
Mr. Troy Schuster, Virgin Islands State Director, American Association of Retired Persons