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LBJ Medical Center will get $624,000 for dialysis machines
and other equipment
The US House and Senate has passed HR 2764, the FY 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill which includes Congressman Faleomavaega Eni’s request for $624,000 for the LBJ Medical Center to purchase additional dialysis machines, supplies, and related needs.
Faleomavaega, in his March letter to Chairman David Obey and ranking member James Walsh of the House Committee on Appropriations, requested $1 million for the purchase of dialysis and diagnostic medical equipment for the hospital’s dialysis facility and intensive care and emergency rooms.
Congress did not approve the full amount but instead, agreed to provide $624,000 which is more than half of the initial request.
Faleomavaega explained that LBJ is the only health care provider in American Samoa and is a semi-autonomous agency of the American Samoa Government. “LBJ does not operate at a profit. With limited resources, LBJ is in a difficult position of upgrading its equipment to meet our people’s needs,” Faleomavaega said.
The Congressman hopes that dialysis services and other critical medical services can be extended to include the people of the Manu’a Islands.
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