CMS Denies J.F.L.'s Plan Of Correction; Hospital Submits New Document

ST. CROIX -- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in December denied a Plan of Correction (P.O.C.) that officials of the Juan F. Luis Hospital had submitted in response to C.M.S.'s request, following a visit to the hospital late last year that found it to be out of compliance with C.M.S. standards. Richard Evangelista, chief executive of the hospital, said the new submission would be adequate to meet C.M.S.'s conditions of participation, as the hospital works on long-term solutions relative to environmental care. The 31st Legislature mid-December approved $5 million for the C.M.S.-cited repairs, with some of the funds being made available not through the floating of bonds, but through monies already available at the Public Finance Authority, according to Nellon Bowry, Office of Management and Budget director. The hospital also moved to file suit against C.M.S. for failing to increase the reimbursement rate for services the federal agency provides, which would reflec...