January 23, 2026

Collection: Hearing Records
Sub-shelf: Culture, Youth, Aging and Parks
Kind: Hearing Record
Entity: Legislature of the Virgin Islands
Date: 2026
Type: Invitation Letters
Topics: Disaster Recovery
Pages: 1
Text: Native Text

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Original source: https://legvi.org/committeemeetings/Culture,%20Youth,%20Aging%20and%20Parks/March%2020th,%202026/Invitation%20Letters/Honorable%20Justa%20Encarnacion%20Invitation%20Letter%20to%20Testify%20March%2020%202026.pdf

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January 23, 2026 Honorable Justa Encarnacion Commissioner Virgin Islands Department of Health 1303 Hospital Ground Charles Harwood Memorial Complex St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 00802 Re: Invitation to Testify – Aging with Dignity: Oversight of Nursing Homes and CMS Certification Readiness in the Virgin Islands Dear Commissioner Encarnacion, As Chair of the Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, and Parks, I respectfully invite you to testify during Block I of the Committee hearing scheduled for Friday, March 20, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall on St. Thomas. This oversight hearing, entitled “Aging with Dignity: Oversight of Nursing Homes and CMS Certification Readiness in the Virgin Islands,” will examine the operational conditions of all government and privately operated nursing homes and long-term care facilities throughout the Territory. The Committee will assess quality of care, staffing adequacy, infrastructure conditions, occupancy rates, financial sustainability, and compliance with territorial licensing and regulatory standards. Particular attention will be given to identifying systemic gaps and risks affecting the health, safety, and dignity of our elderly population. Additionally, the Committee will evaluate each facility’s progress toward CMS certification and readiness to meet federal Conditions of Participation, including barriers to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, infrastructure deficiencies, and corrective actions necessary to secure sustainable federal funding. Your testimony is essential as we work to strengthen accountability, elevate care standards, and safeguard the well-being of the Virgin Island’s aging community. Please submit written testimony at least 48 hours prior to the hearing. Should you require further information, please contact my office directly. I look forward to your participation in this important discussion. Respectfully, The Honorable Angel Bolques, Jr. Chair, Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, and Parks Senator At Large, 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands Legislature of the Virgin Islands P.O. BOX 1690 ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS 00802 (340) 693-3571 CHAIRMAN Committee on Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports & Parks VICE-CHAIRMAN Committee on Economic Development & Agriculture MEMBER Committee of the Whole Committee on Rules & Judiciary Committee on Homeland Security, Justice & Public Safety Committee on Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure & Planning Sub-Committee on Energy & Infrastructure Development The Honorable Angel Bolques, Jr. Senator-At-Large 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands