While most Senate Health Committee members agree that the territory’s hospitals should have some degree of autonomy, they are divided on how much.
Hearings that began in St. Thomas on Tuesday wrapped up Thursday on St. Croix with most in attendance agreeing something had to be done to untie the hospitals' financial hands.
Concern about semi-autonomy was raised by Sens. Adlah “Foncie” Donastorg and Alicia “Chucky” Hansen, according to the Daily News.
Donastorg and acting Finance Commissioner Bernice Turnbull both suggested a phased program. Turnbull advocated a five-year plan.
Sens. Lorraine L. Berry, V. Anne Golden, Gregory Bennerson and Almando “Rocky” Liburd, all members of the Health Committee, chaired by Sen. Allie-Allison Petrus, agreed something has to be done now to avoid putting
health care in the territory at further risk.
Petrus’ legislation proposes giving hospitals authority to purchase and hire without going through the cumbersome, centralized processes now in place.