Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett Visits Medical Facilities

Congresswoman Plaskett at Plessen Healthcare

During her October district work period, Congresswoman Plaskett met with a number of different medical stakeholders in the community (Plessen Healthcare, the Frederiksted Health Center, JFL) to hear their concerns and needs as well as the progress being made regarding healthcare locally. The Congresswoman was also able to sit with local dialysis patients to hear of the difficulties they face on a regular basis. One healthcare center shared that on St. Croix alone there are at least 15,000 people that deal with some type of chronic disease. They also reinforced the importance of adequate Medicaid funding for the territory, relaying that at any given medical center numbers 85-90% of patients rely on Medicaid for healthcare. These numbers further highlight the imperative nature of the work currently being done by the Congresswoman and her office to increase the current Medicaid cap for the Virgin Islands.

Congresswoman Plaskett with members of the  33rd Legislature

Recently, Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett met with V.I. Senators to share updates on the work being done by her office, specifically regarding the Medicaid Cliff, FEMA Public Assistance cost-share waiver, and the V.I. gasoline excise tax. Each of the senators also had the opportunity to share and discuss with the Congresswoman the issues they felt are most pressing within the territory. Among the issues raised were public safety and gun control, ongoing recovery efforts, and the need for immediate attention to the living conditions within a number of housing communities. A recurring theme highlighted by the Congresswoman was the need to break down any existing silos and work collaboratively. All parties in attendance affirmed their commitment to working collectively to help further the interests of our territory.