Washington, D.C. — The status of plans for a new hospital and continuing Medicaid support for American Samoa — American Samoa’s highest priorities within the massive U.S. budget reconciliation bill known first as the “Build Back Better” bill then as “the human infrastructure” bill — appears to be safe as it slowly moves forward in the U.S. Congress.  Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata updated the territory Thursday on specific developments within the latest framework for negotiations.

“In simplest terms, the over $100 million in hospital infrastructure funds we worked for and the continuing Medicaid support and federal match, both have survived the reduction of the overall proposal, as we requested,” Amata said. “The bill is costly and has significant opposition, based on inflation and debt concerns, but seeing American Samoa treated fairly is always a point of emphasis that I view separately from the rest of the debate. My first focus is on American Samoa.”

President Biden and key negotiators in Congress Thursday announced they have ironed out many of their issues stalling the majority party from completing the writing of the bill and bringing it to a vote. Thursday, they announced a framework for proceeding, short of a final agreement.

The initial $3.5 trillion proposal would become a $1.75 trillion proposal under this framework. Surviving the negotiations is nearly $1 billion ($993 million) for the Department of Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs to invest in hospital infrastructure in four smaller U.S. territories, of which (taking into account population and need factors), American Samoa’s portion is estimated around $120-140 million over ten years.

“A modernized hospital is a top priority for us, and these funds would represent an important development in what will be a lengthy and ongoing effort,” Amata stated. “This wouldn’t get us to the goal line, but it would get us on the playing field.”

A separate Senate-passed bipartisan major infrastructure bill is part of the negotiations. That $550 billion infrastructure bill contains over $100 million for American Samoa including roads, ports, airports, cyber security, broadband and other such staple services. It has been held up from a vote as a negotiating tactic regarding the larger budget reconciliation proposal.

The national debate in Washington has centered on the dynamics of getting legislation that is acceptable to various factions within the Democratic Party lawmakers, while Republican lawmakers object to the multi-trillion-dollar price tag of the combined proposals, the tax increases, and the factors of national debt and rising inflation.

(Based on a press release from Cong. Uifa’atali Amata’s D.C. staff)