Senators Hear from Health Department at Wednesday Hearing

Conflicting legislation on funding concerned legislators during Wednesday’s Committee on Health, Hospitals, and Human Services hearing when receiving testimony from the Health Department and the V.I. Board of Nurses.

“The FY 2023 General Fund Budget is $25,781,917 and our total Health Revolving Fund Budget is $3,000,136”, said Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion.

The Office of Federal Grants Management is currently overseeing 65 projects, with 84 single budgets, and 18 since the pandemic. The department has been awarded 34 individual COVID-19 grants. Federal funding awarded to the Department was $87,234,528, according to Encarnacion’s testimony.

“As we proceed with our work, we are actively engaging with the Office of Collective Bargaining, PERB [Public Employment Relations Board], Department of Justice, and the respective unions to address all labor relations cases. Currently, there are 12 ongoing labor relations cases as of May 31,” said Encarnacion.

Senators voiced concern about the number of labor relations cases; however, Encarnacion said the matters were being worked on.