The American Samoa Governor Togiola Tulafono is warning fees at the cash-strapped LBJ Medical Center will be hiked up if the Fono does not approve a new financial aid package.
The governor had sought Fono approval of an eight million US loan from the government Employees Retirement Fund for hospital operations and a 10 million dollar appropriation for the hospital's off-island medical referral program.
The Senate has rejected both measures while the House is trying to salvage the 10 million appropriation by amending the funding source and the bill goes through third and final reading today.
Togiloa says if there is no remedy from the Fono, he will instruct the Medical Center to proceed with facility fee hikes, such as the 50 dollars to see the doctor and 50 dollars for prescriptions.