Financial Struggles at DOH: $1.2 Million Owed to Pafford, No Funds to Pay, Putting Key Program at Risk

The Department of Health (DOH) is grappling with financial hurdles as a $1.2 million debt owed to Pafford threatens the existence of the Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program on St. Croix. Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion revealed this critical issue during a Senate Committee on Budget, Finance and Appropriations hearing on Thursday. Chair of the Senate Committee on Budget, Finance and Appropriations, Sen. Donna Frett-Gregory, was surprised to learn that there is no accommodation in DOH's slimmed-down proposed budget of $26,060,486, a year-over-year decrease of $1,285,937, to pay off the $1.2 million currently owed to Pafford. Ms. Encarnacion confirmed that the general fund allocation — which has been decreased for the coming year — is usually used to pay the company on an ongoing basis for medical staff currently assisting the DOH, particularly within the Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program on St. Croix. The high carrying costs of relying on contract health workers is unsu...