21 Dec 2005

American Samoa Senate still to decide on possible injunction against higher hospital fees

11:23 am on 21 December 2005

The American Samoa Senate is taking a wait and see approach before deciding whether to seek a court injunction to halt higher charges at the LBJ Medical Centre.

Two weeks ago Senators gave the Senate counsel the green light to take the matter to court, however they are waiting to see what action the governor will take on the $10 million US dollar loan bill before proceeding.

A spokesman for The Governor's Office said this morning that the bill had not been signed.

The governor said that the LBJ has to submit a fiscal reform plan that identifies ways to control spending without negatively impacting on health services.

The Chairman of the Hospital Board, Charles Warren, said last week that a first draft of a fiscal reform plan has already been sent to the governor.