77.7 F
Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesFYI: Christian Gets Support for Federal Benefits from AAFP

FYI: Christian Gets Support for Federal Benefits from AAFP

Oct. 12, 2006 – Dr. Cora Christian, candidate for Lt. Governor, was able to garner the support of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) on behalf of the Territory's longstanding effort to receive federal benefits on par with the rest of the nation. The AAFP represents over 94,000 physicians as the second largest physician organization in the nation.
While a member of the Government and Legislative Affairs Commission, Dr. Christian was able to get Academy policy to oppose capping federal financial participation in state Medicaid programs imposed upon the commonwealths and territories. Yesterday, the Congress of Delegates voted to broaden the policy to apply to all federal programs.
"America's family physicians understand there cannot be two standards, one for states and one for the territories," Dr. Christian said. We are all Americans and deserve the same rights. I am proud as a family physician that my Academy has stepped up to the plate and unanimously supported fairness in federal programs for all U.S. citizens."
Virgin Islanders are eligible for drastically less Medicaid benefits than their stateside counterparts. Dr. Christian, who if elected as Lt. Governor will oversee the Department of Health, will make lobbying the U.S. Congress for equal benefits among her first and highest priorities. Dr. Christian is running for office along side gubernatorial candidate, Senator Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg.
"For too long our nation's elected leaders have spent more time discussing the problems with America's health care system than working toward solutions," Dr. Christian said. "Every State and Territory faces important decisions on health care this election. Although the abilities of America's doctors and technology available to them are the best in the world, too many people cannot see a doctor when they need to. The major ways to fix the system is to guarantee health insurance, provide care for the increasing number of older Americans, educate tomorrow's family doctors and to utilize better technology for better health care."
Dr. Christian said that addressing these issues has been her life's work and that she will be able to accomplish much more as Lt. Governor.
"I care and I can," she said. "Virgin Islanders deserve better health care."

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.