Committee on Health, Hospitals and Human Services

Please be advised that the Committee on Health, Hospitals & Human Services will be conducting a hearing on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall, on St. Thomas.

BLOCK I           10:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

The Committee will receive an operational update from the Department of Health addressing the use and expenditure of appropriated funds; the status and timelines of mental and behavioral health facilities; the deployment of behavioral health vans and community-based services; workforce recruitment and retention. The Department of Human Services will speak to the Medicaid State Plan administration and outstanding childcare balance; strategies to address hospital boarders and long-term elderly care, including potential CMS-certified facilities; federal childcare funding and Head Start program expansion; and the operational status of key Human Services facilities, to include clear timelines, measurable outcomes, and accountability to ensure these efforts translate into effective services for the people of the Virgin Islands.

INVITED TESTIFIERS:
Honorable Averil George, Commissioner, Department of Human Services
Honorable Justa E. Encarnacion, Commissioner, Department of Health

BLOCK II      1:30 P.M. – 3:45 P.M.

The members will receive testimony from the Government Employees Service Commission and Cigna Healthcare regarding the administration and oversight of the Government of the Virgin Islands’ employee health insurance program and its impact on healthcare access and utilization within the Territory. Testimony will focus on policies affecting the use of local healthcare providers, including co-insurance structures, reimbursement rates, preferred provider designations, prior authorization requirements, and strategies to reduce out-of-pocket costs for government employees and retirees. The discussion will also examine opportunities to strengthen the utilization and financial sustainability of Schneider Regional Medical Center and Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center.

INVITED TESTIFIERS:
Ms. Beverly Joseph, CAPPP, AMP, CAHWP, Chairwoman, Government Employees Service Commission
Deepali Sahi, Account Manager, GVI Insurance

BLOCK III     4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.

The Committee will receive a comprehensive update from the executive leadership of both hospitals regarding the progress of the merger, as well as the current financial and clinical status of the institutions. Testimony will address several critical operational areas, including emergency room wait times, staffing levels and workforce stability, the condition and availability of medical equipment and infrastructure, supply chain and procurement operations, payroll administration, and the hospitals’ overall financial condition and revenue cycle performance.

INVITED TESTIFIERS:
Ms. Darlene A. Baptiste, MA Ed, RTT, EMT, CPM, CEO, Territorial Hospitals
Mr. Jerry Smith, Chairman, Virgin Islands Government Health and Hospital Corporation