Senate OKs Medicaid Money, Approves Two to Waste Management Board

The Virgin Islands Senate approved $3 million for the V.I. Human Services Department to shore up shortfalls with the Medicaid program in a marathon legislative session all day Monday. The bill goes to Gov. Albert Bryan Jr.’s desk for final approval.

The money was to pay providers and vendors that participate in the Medicaid program and for other related purposes.

Without the financial injection, the territory’s Medicaid system could completely whither, said Averil George, commissioner of the V.I. Human Services Department.

“If we don’t get this $3 million we’ll have to say our entire Medicaid services are compromised,” George said. “DHS is in need of additional funds to support a shortfall in the Medicaid local match for claims to pay past due expenses to providers and to support the continued operation of the Medicaid program.”