Worries Mount as DOH Owes Millions, Faces Lawsuits, and Spends Nearly $1M Annually on Rentals

The V.I. DOH is facing lawsuits and threats from owed vendors, while Sen. Vialet raised alarms about a $240K lease wasted on an empty building and nearly $1M spent annually to rent 19 offices, all while mental health patients remain at risk.

The successes and goals of the V.I. Department of Health included in its FY2026 budget defense were overshadowed by a glaring $7.5 million in outstanding vendor payments owed by the department, among other worrying concerns such as legal threats, rental waste, and potential service disruptions.

Assistant Commissioner Dr. Nicole Craigwell-Syms appeared before the Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance on Thursday to discuss the Department’s overall budget request of $60,067,986 including $29,754,129 from the general fund. A customary line of questioning from committee chair Senator Novelle Francis uncovered details of the hefty sum of owed payments. Some of the debts have been outstanding since 2023.

“What is the issue with you being able to pay your bills?” Senator Francis asked. DOH’s chief finance officer Tatia Monell-Hewitt said some payments are in process. However, there are bills that the department simply does not have “sufficient funds for.” These bills are all associated with off-island care.” That figure totals $5,590,880. Larkin Health, alone, is owed $2,150,680.