Leaders from government, healthcare, and the community convened in American Samoa from March 24 to 26 for the territory’s annual Medicaid Health Summit. Organized by the American Samoa Medicaid State Agency, the event focused on expanding access to care and strengthening local healthcare systems under the theme “O le Ta Avega Tausoa Fa’atasi – Working Together for a Healthier American Samoa.”
In her opening remarks, Medicaid Director Luisa Kuaea called for unity and collaboration, acknowledging the limits of current Medicaid coverage while emphasizing the agency’s goal of building a more inclusive system. “We can expand services, strengthen our healthcare system, and build strong partnerships so no one in our community is left without care,” Kuaea said.
The summit addressed long-standing challenges in American Samoa’s healthcare system, including the territory’s reliance on off-island referrals and the need for long-term services for elders. Attendees also examined the implications of federal policy, including the islands’ unique status under the 1902(j) Medicaid waiver, which exempts American Samoa from some federal Medicaid requirements.
Panel discussions and breakout sessions focused on local service delivery and strategies to improve public understanding of how to access available care. One of the summit’s key discussions involved efforts to reestablish referral partnerships in Hawaiʻi, with renewed talks reported between the Medicaid agency and hospitals such as Straub and Queen’s Medical Center.
Director Kuaea, appointed by Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula and Lieutenant Governor Pulu Ae Ae Jr., closed the summit by recognizing the work of former directors, including Niuatoa Andy Puletasi and Sandra King Young. “While we may lead differently, I honor the work they’ve done to grow this program,” Kuaea said.
The event comes amid concerns over potential federal Medicaid funding cuts, which could have wide-reaching effects on healthcare access in the islands and across the United States. Kuaea reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to residents, stating, “Healthcare is not a privilege—it is a human right. And here in American Samoa, we will continue to fight for it.”
The annual summit is expected to continue serving as a forum for cross-sector collaboration and healthcare policy development in the territory.
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