Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata last week, as part of a series of meetings while she was in Honolulu, also met with the leadership of the Spark M. Matsunaga Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Medical Center associated with Tripler Army Medical Center that serves so many Veterans from American Samoa.

Prior to this meeting, she met with a group of Veterans who were in Honolulu for these services. They discussed their care experiences, concerns and issues at length, and Congresswoman Amata was then able to express those views directly to VA health care officials, including Director Sergio S. Chao of the Honolulu Regional Office and VA Clinic Director Dr. Adam Robinson.

In the meeting, the discussion included the need for more efficient claims processing, caregiver eligibility requirements, and transportation issues, especially the high cost of air service for accompanying caregivers. Also discussed was the upcoming infrastructure bill in Congress that has proposals for additional funds for improvements to both Tripler and the Faleomavaega Eni Fa'aua'a Hunkin VA Clinic serving American Samoa Veterans.

“We had a good conversation, and Dr. Robinson and Director Chao have a thorough understanding of the needs being expressed by our Veterans,” said Congresswoman Amata. “I appreciate their time and genuine desire to keep our Veterans healthy. The VA has a key role in many of these efforts through the clinics in both American Samoa and Honolulu.”

“The best long term answer to some of these concerns begins with modernization of LBJ Tropical Medical Center, which I will always make my top topic in meetings with the Biden administration, federal departments and agencies, or congressional leadership in Washington,” Amata continued. “We also need improvements in reducing the need for travel for services, and looking for ways to alleviate those expensive transportation costs for health care.”