Legislature Schedules Emergency Session to Address Hospital Crisis in U.S. Virgin Islands

In a move signaling the seriousness of the growing healthcare crisis in the territory, the 36th Legislature has scheduled an emergency session for Monday, April 14, to address the financial shortfalls plaguing both the Juan F. Luis Hospital and Schneider Regional Medical Center. Senate President Milton E. Potter announced the session on Saturday, citing mounting concerns over staffing shortages, supply deficits, and operational breakdowns at the territory’s two major hospitals. “The healthcare of our residents is at stake. Our hospitals need our immediate attention. This is a matter of life and death,” said Senate Vice President Kenneth L. Gittens. The decision to convene the emergency session follows a week of intensifying debate between the legislative and executive branches. On Friday, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. firmly rejected Senator Ray Fonseca’s renewed call for a state of emergency declaration, arguing instead that the Legislature already controls over $130 million secured fro...