Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In a press release issued yesterday, the American Samoa Medicaid State Agency (Medicaid) announced it had received approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for its request to add Personal Care Aide Services and Long Term Care Support Services provider eligibility to the American Samoa State Plan. This will effectively allow Hope House to enroll as a Medicaid provider under the Medicaid program.

Medicaid Director Sandra King Young stated, “This state planning amendment (SPA) was in development for a long time to essentially support the work of Hope House which is the only type of long-term care support services provider available in our territory. Medicaid was able to do this because of the generous appropriations provided by the government and the Fono for Hope House that Medicaid will use for the local match.

HOPE HOUSE RESPONDS

On behalf of the Diocese of Samoa, Pago Pago, the Hope House Board of Directors, management and staff, and the residents of Hope House, we extend our big fa'amalo and fa'afetai tele to Director Sandra King Young and her professional team for all their diligent and hard work, Bishop Peter H Brown said, also in a press release.

“This is such wonderful news as it comes at a time of uncertainty for Hope House since the grant that provided funding for caregivers and professional development the last five years expired in December, 2020.

“We are extremely grateful for this blessing and extend our gratitude to former Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga, current Governor Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga and their administrations for initiating the local appropriations to support Hope House. 

“Fa'afetai tele fo'i to the Honorable leaders and members of the American Samoa Legislature (FONO) for approving these funds for the only facility of its kind to provide the care for our elderly patients, terminally ill patients and children with severe disabilities,” Bishop Brown concluded.

WHAT IT TOOK TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN

“Numerous obstacles had to be overcome to receive approval for this much needed service for our community,” King Young said.

The local match requirement for Medicaid must be provided for by the local government and cannot be provided by a Medicaid provider through charitable donations. The SPA was complex to develop and negotiate because Hope House does not provide traditional medical care services that are covered under a Medicaid state plan. Although minimal services will be covered under this new provision for long term care support services, the hope is that the Medicaid provider network continues to expand.

King Young added, “We extend our thanks to Bishop Peter Brown for his resilience in pursuing this benefit for Hope House and we look forward to working with CMS and Hope House on their Medicaid certification.”