AGP Executive Report

Behavioral Health: Construction is underway on American Samoa’s new Department of Health clinic for mental health and drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Medicaid Funding: Gov. Pulaali‘i Nikolao Pula warns cuts to the local Medicaid match and LBJ Hospital subsidy could jeopardize more than $9 million in federal funds. The reduced match also delays approved in-home care services for older adults and people with disabilities. Local Care: A Pacific healthcare initiative proposes training LBJ surgeons to perform prostate procedures locally, potentially reducing overseas referrals and costs; 40 patients were sent to New Zealand for care this year. Safe Water: AS-EPA’s water lab won federal certification to test drinking water through 2029, supporting routine checks of public systems and vending machines.

Health Workforce: Hawaiʻi will pay medical and nursing tuition for students who commit to five years of work in rural areas, offering a possible model for addressing health worker shortages across the Pacific. Territory Funding: Governor Pulaaliʻi warns that halving American Samoa’s Medicaid match to $3 million could put more than $9 million in federal funds at risk; the LBJ Tropical Medical Center subsidy was also cut by $400,000. Care at Home: Listening sessions will gather families’ views on delayed Medicaid-funded personal care, home health aide and respite services, which officials say lack local matching funds and administrative support. LBJ Services: Visiting doctors discussed training local surgeons to perform prostate procedures now requiring overseas referrals; officials estimate a local program could save Medicaid about $800,000. Safe Water: AS-EPA’s water lab earned U.S. EPA certification to test drinking water for microbiological contamination through 2029. Community Health: A free dog spay-and-neuter outreach clinic is scheduled across 19 villages through Nov. 19, with appointments required.

Health Workforce: Hawaiʻi will pay medical and nursing tuition for students who commit to five years of work in rural areas, a regional approach to shortages that may interest American Samoa. Local Care: Visiting doctors and Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata discussed training LBJ surgeons to perform prostate procedures now handled through overseas referrals; officials estimate training could cost under $100,000 and reduce Medicaid costs. Water Safety: AS-EPA’s water lab earned U.S. EPA certification to test drinking water for microbiological contamination through 2029. Home Care: Community listening sessions will gather families’ concerns about delayed Medicaid-funded personal care and home health aide services, held up by funding and administrative hurdles. Community Health: A free dog spay-and-neuter clinic is visiting 19 villages through Nov. 19; appointments are required at 699-9445. Public Health: Hawaiʻi reported its ninth travel-related dengue case this year and urged residents to remove standing water, a useful reminder for Pacific communities where dengue occurs. Nurse Support: A fundraiser is helping LBJ emergency room supervisor Van Lorenzo, who is receiving medical care off-island.

Healthcare Workforce: Hawaiʻi will cover medical and nursing tuition for students who commit to five years of work in rural communities, a regional approach to addressing shortages that could interest American Samoa. Local Hospital Care: Visiting doctors and Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata discussed training LBJ surgeons to perform prostate procedures now requiring off-island referrals. Forty patients were sent to New Zealand for care this year; local training could reduce costs and travel. Home Care: Medicaid-approved personal care and home-health aide services remain delayed, with officials citing a lack of local matching funds, community data and administrative hurdles. Listening sessions are planned to hear from families and caregivers. Safe Water: AS-EPA’s water lab earned U.S. EPA certification to test drinking water for bacteria through 2029. Dengue Prevention: Hawaiʻi reported its ninth travel-related dengue case of 2026, underscoring the need to remove standing water; dengue is also a risk in Pacific Island territories. Animal Health: A free village outreach program is offering dog spay and neuter services across 19 villages through Nov. 19; appointments are required at 699-9445.

Local Care: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata and visiting doctors discussed training LBJ surgeons to perform prostate procedures locally. Forty patients were referred overseas for prostate care in 2026; officials estimate a local program could save Medicaid about $800,000. Safe Drinking Water: AS-EPA’s water lab earned U.S. EPA certification to test drinking water for microbiological contamination, valid through 2029. Home-Based Support: Community listening sessions are planned on personal care, home health aides and respite services. Medicaid-approved services remain delayed over funding and administrative hurdles. Animal Wellness: A free dog spay-and-neuter outreach clinic is visiting 19 villages through Nov. 19. Appointments are required; call 699-9445.

Local Care: Visiting doctors and Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata discussed training LBJ surgeons to perform prostate procedures now requiring off-island referrals. Forty patients went to New Zealand for care in 2026; a local program could cost under $100,000 to establish. They also explored drone delivery of medical supplies. Animal Health: A free spay-and-neuter clinic will visit 19 villages from Oct. 18 to Nov. 19. Appointments are required; call 699-9445 or visit the Tafuna Veterinary Clinic. Home Care: Community listening sessions will gather input on personal care, home health aides and respite services. Medicaid has approved the services, but implementation is delayed by funding, data and administrative hurdles. Safe Water: AS-EPA’s lab earned U.S. EPA certification to test drinking water for microbiological contamination, valid through 2029. Regional Health: Hawaiʻi reported its ninth travel-related dengue case of 2026. Officials say local transmission risk is low and urge people to remove standing water; dengue is also a risk in American Samoa.

Time Change: American Samoa does not observe daylight saving time, so clocks will stay put when most of the U.S. turns them back on Nov. 1. Veterinary Care: A free dog spay-and-neuter clinic visits 19 villages from Oct. 18 to Nov. 19. Appointments are required; call 699-9445 or visit the Tafuna Veterinary Clinic. LBJ Services: Visiting doctors and Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata discussed training LBJ surgeons to perform prostate procedures, which could reduce referrals overseas. Forty residents were referred to New Zealand for this care in 2026; drone medical transport was also discussed. Home Care: Medicaid-approved personal care and home health aide services remain delayed because of local matching-fund needs, data gaps and administrative hurdles. Community listening sessions will gather families’ concerns. Safe Drinking Water: AS-EPA’s water lab earned U.S. EPA certification to test drinking water for microbial contamination through 2029.

LBJ Care: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata and visiting doctors discussed training local surgeons to perform prostate procedures now requiring overseas referrals. Forty patients were sent to New Zealand for care in 2026; a proposed local program could cost under $100,000 and save Medicaid an estimated $800,000. Home-Based Support: Community listening sessions will gather families’ concerns about delayed Medicaid-funded personal care, home health aide and respite services. Implementation is held up by funding and administrative hurdles. Community Health: A free dog spay-and-neuter clinic will visit 19 villages from Oct. 18 to Nov. 19. Appointments are required; call 699-9445. Water Safety: AS-EPA’s lab earned U.S. EPA certification to test drinking water for microbiological contamination, valid through 2029. Nurse Support: A fundraiser is seeking help for LBJ emergency-room nurse Van Lorenzo, who is receiving medical treatment off-island.

Healthcare Access: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata and visiting doctors discussed training LBJ surgeons to perform prostate procedures locally, potentially reducing costly overseas referrals. Forty patients were sent to New Zealand for prostate care in 2026; drone delivery of medical supplies was also raised. Animal Health: A free dog spay-and-neuter outreach clinic will visit 19 villages from Oct. 18 to Nov. 19. Appointments are required; call 699-9445 or visit the Tafuna Veterinary Clinic. Home Care: Community listening sessions will gather input on home-based support for older adults and people with disabilities. Medicaid-approved personal care and home health aide services remain delayed over funding and administrative hurdles. Youth Mental Health: American Samoa is included in Meta’s proposed teen social-media settlement, but the agreement does not require states to spend the money on youth mental health. Water Safety: AS-EPA’s water lab earned U.S. EPA certification to test drinking water for microbiological contamination, with certification valid through 2029.

Healthcare Access: Rep. Amata is promoting a plan to train LBJ surgeons in prostate procedures now sent overseas. Forty patients were referred to New Zealand in 2026, with travel costs topping $400,000; supporters estimate local treatment could save Medicaid about $800,000. Caregiver Support: Community listening sessions will gather families’ concerns about delayed Medicaid-funded home care and respite services, held up by funding and administrative challenges. Drinking Water: The AS-EPA Water Laboratory earned U.S. EPA certification to test drinking water through 2029, covering samples from utility lines, village systems and water vendors. Community Health: A free dog spay-and-neuter outreach clinic will visit 19 villages from Oct. 18 to Nov. 19. Appointments are required; call 699-9445. Nurse Support: A fundraising campaign is helping LBJ nurse Van Lorenzo, who is receiving medical treatment off-island.

Youth Mental Health: States say proceeds from Meta’s proposed $17.1 billion teen social-media settlement should support young people, but the deal leaves spending largely to their discretion. American Samoa is included, and the agreement still needs court approval. Community Health: An American Samoa writer is urging lawmakers to openly examine possible long-term COVID impacts; the letter raises concerns but offers no findings. Caregiving Services: Community listening sessions will gather families’ needs for in-home care and respite. Medicaid-approved personal care and home health aide services remain delayed over funding, data and administrative hurdles. Local Health Workers: A fundraiser is helping LBJ nurse and former emergency-room supervisor Van Lorenzo, who is seriously ill and receiving treatment off-island. Safe Water: AS-EPA’s lab earned U.S. EPA certification to test drinking water for microbiological contamination through 2029. Dengue Prevention: Hawaiʻi has reported nine travel-related dengue cases this year, with no links between cases; officials urge residents to remove standing water. Dengue is a year-round risk in American Samoa and other Pacific islands.

Caregiver Support: Community listening sessions will give families caring for older adults and people with disabilities a chance to tell officials what they need, as Medicaid-approved home care services remain delayed by funding and administrative hurdles. Local Health Workers: A fundraiser is supporting LBJ nurse and former Emergency Room Supervisor Van Lorenzo, who is seriously ill and receiving treatment off-island. Public Health: American Samoa’s Health Department says its HIV testing recommendation is not prompted by a local outbreak; confidential testing is encouraged for people who may have been exposed. Safe Drinking Water: The AS-EPA Water Laboratory earned U.S. EPA certification for drinking-water microbiology testing through 2029. Dengue Watch: Hawaiʻi reported its ninth travel-related dengue case of 2026. Dengue remains a year-round risk in American Samoa; removing standing water helps limit mosquito breeding.

Dengue Watch: Hawaiʻi’s ninth travel-related dengue case this year is a reminder that the virus circulates in American Samoa and other Pacific islands. Health officials say the risk of local spread in Hawaiʻi is low and urge people to empty standing water where mosquitoes can breed. Drinking Water: American Samoa’s EPA Water Laboratory earned U.S. EPA certification to test drinking water for bacteria through 2029. The lab checks supplies from ASPA, village systems and water vending machines, as well as recreational waters. HIV Guidance: The Department of Health says its HIV testing recommendation is not prompted by a known local outbreak. People concerned about exposure can seek confidential testing or talk with a healthcare provider. Caregiver Support: An opinion writer urged families and community members to join caregiver listening sessions and speak up about the effects of care work on health, finances and employment.

Dengue Watch: Hawaiʻi’s ninth travel-related dengue case of 2026 is a reminder that the virus is a year-round risk in American Samoa and the Pacific. Empty standing water around homes and workplaces to limit mosquito breeding. Safe Drinking Water: AS-EPA’s Water Laboratory earned U.S. EPA certification to test drinking water for microbiological contamination, with approval through 2029. HIV Update: The Department of Health says its testing guidance is not a sign of a local outbreak; residents with possible exposure can seek confidential testing and prevention advice. Family Health: American Samoa will receive $1.6 million to expand home visits for expectant parents and families with young children, supporting maternal and child health. Disability Support: A new community-led Center for Independent Living will connect people with disabilities to health, benefits, transportation and other services, backed by $319,524 over two years. Behavioral Health: A new territorial council will coordinate opioid and substance-use programs, including support for co-occurring mental health needs.

Safe Water: American Samoa’s EPA water lab has earned U.S. EPA Region 9 certification to test drinking water for microbial contamination, with approval through 2029. HIV Testing: The Health Department says there is no known local HIV outbreak; testing is confidential and recommended for people concerned about possible exposure. Family Health: The territory will receive $1.6 million in federal funding to expand home visits for expectant mothers and families with young children. Disability Support: A new federally funded Center for Independent Living will connect people with disabilities to peer support, advocacy, health services and other community resources. Substance Use: Governor Pulaali’i has replaced the substance-abuse council with a body tasked with guiding opioid prevention and spending settlement funds. Dengue Alert: Hawaii reported its eighth travel-related dengue case of 2026; health officials urge people to remove standing water, while noting dengue is a year-round risk in American Samoa.

HIV Update: American Samoa’s Health Department says there is no known local HIV outbreak; it encourages people who may be at risk to seek confidential testing and prevention advice. HIV is not spread through travel or everyday contact. Safe Water: The AS-EPA Water Lab earned U.S. EPA certification to test drinking water for microbial contamination, with approval through 2029. Maternal and Child Health: American Samoa will receive $1.6 million in federal funding to expand voluntary home visits for expectant parents and families with young children. Disability Services: A new federal award will establish a community-led independent living center, connecting people with disabilities to health, housing, employment and other support. Substance Use: Gov. Pulaali’i has replaced the Comprehensive Substance Abuse Council with a council focused on opioid and substance-use prevention, treatment and settlement funds. Dengue Prevention: Hawaii reported its eighth travel-related dengue case of 2026. Dengue is also a year-round risk in American Samoa; health officials advise travelers to check advisories and residents to remove standing water where mosquitoes breed.