[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 214 (Thursday, December 18, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H6095]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              ADDRESSING VIRGIN ISLANDS HEALTHCARE CRISIS

  (Ms. PLASKETT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. PLASKETT. Mr. Speaker, healthcare in the Virgin Islands is in 
crisis. The Medical Executive Committee wrote an open letter to the 
community and to CMS, detailing adverse conditions in our hospitals. 
These include shortages of supplies, medication, equipment, staff, and 
patient placement challenges.
  This crisis reflects systemic failures that compromise the ability to 
deliver appropriate care. These conditions did not develop overnight. 
Our two hospitals still operate under Medicare reimbursement formulas 
from 1982 and 1996.
  While I continue to fight for Medicare rebasing, fortunately we have 
secured permanent increases in Medicaid funding from 55 to 83 percent 
and over $1.7 billion in FEMA obligations to rebuild our hospitals.
  Mr. Speaker, Congress and the administration must do more. Virgin 
Islanders deserve the same access, dignity, and quality of care as 
every American citizen. We will not stop fighting until our healthcare 
system receives the Federal support required to deliver standard of 
care.

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