US Virgin Islands officials meet with VA leadership in Puerto Rico over potential cuts to veterans healthcare

Facing potential federal cuts to veterans’ healthcare in the Caribbean, officials from the United States Virgin Islands traveled to Puerto Rico on April 28 to meet with leaders at the VA Caribbean Healthcare System (VACHS). The visit was aimed at understanding the scope of possible service reductions and developing a contingency plan to ensure continued access to care for veterans in the territory.

The delegation was led by US Virgin Islands Office of Veterans Affairs Director Patrick D. Farrell and included Senator Avery Lewis (D), chair of the legislature’s veterans affairs oversight committee. They were joined by Commissioner of Health Justa Encarnacion, Schneider Regional Medical Center CEO Tina Commissiong, and medical social worker Grace Bailey. Hannifer Britton-Barry, director of case management at Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital, participated virtually.

VACHS oversees the United States Department of Veterans Affairs medical care in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The group was hosted by Interim VACHS Executive Director Jaime Marrero and his leadership team. Also attending in person was David Isaacks, executive director of the Veterans Integrated Services Network 8 (VISN-8), which has administrative oversight over VACHS.

According to officials, the purpose of the meeting was to assess the potential impact of anticipated staff and service reductions at VACHS, evaluate how those cuts could affect veterans in the Virgin Islands, and explore strategies to preserve access to healthcare across the islands.

Although no final decisions have been made, members of the delegation voiced support for building a more resilient local network for veterans in the event that cuts move forward. Commissiong committed to expanding the inclusion of Schneider Regional Medical Center’s services in the VA Community Care Network. Participation in the program would allow eligible veterans to receive VA-reimbursed care at local hospitals and clinics, a move that officials say could be extended to all three main islands in the territory.

The delegation also toured the VACHS emergency department and discussed ongoing coordination efforts between territory and federal agencies.