COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, HOSPITALS & HUMAN SERVICES 
The Honorable Ray Fonseca 
CHAIRMAN 
 
36th Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands 
Capitol Building, P.O. Box 1690 
Charlotte Amalie, V.I. 00804 
(340) 693-3577 
Email: senatorrayfonseca@legvi.org 
 
 
TO: 
Honorable Hubert L. Frederick, Vice-Chair 
 
Honorable Marvin A. Blyden  
 
Honorable Alma Francis-Heyliger 
 
Honorable Kenneth L. Gittens 
 
Honorable Milton E. Potter 
 
 
Honorable Kurt A. Vialet 
  
FROM: 
Honorable Ray Fonseca _
 
 
Chairman, Committee on Health, Hospitals & Human Services 
 
DATE:    March 23, 2026 
RE: 
AGENDA -Committee Hearing-Revised II 
Please be advised that the Committee on Health, Hospitals & Human Services will be conducting 
a hearing on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Chambers, 
on St. Thomas. 
 
BLOCK I____________________________________________________________10:00-1:00pm 
The Committee will receive an operational update from the Department of Human Services on 
the administration of the Medicaid State Plan, including outstanding childcare balances and 
related financial obligations. The Department will also provide updates on key projects, including 
the status of Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged and Queen Louise Home, the development of 
CMS-certified long-term elderly care facilities, and the construction timeline and relocation plans 
for the new Human Services facility. 
Additionally, the Department will address strategies to reduce hospital boarders through 
expanded long-term care capacity, as well as updates on federally funded childcare initiatives 
and Head Start program expansion. Testimony should include clear timelines, measurable 
outcomes, and accountability benchmarks to ensure effective service delivery. 
 
INVITED TESTIFIERS: 
 The Honorable Averil George                                      Mrs. Adrienne L. Williams- Octalien                          
            Commissioner,                                                                    Executive Director,                   
 Department of Human Services                                             Office of Disaster Recovery             
COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, HOSPITALS & HUMAN SERVICES 
The Honorable Ray Fonseca 
CHAIRMAN 
 
36th Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands 
Capitol Building, P.O. Box 1690 
Charlotte Amalie, V.I. 00804 
(340) 693-3577 
Email: senatorrayfonseca@legvi.org 
 
 
 
BLOCK II___________________________________________________________2:00pm-5:00pm 
The Committee will receive a comprehensive update from the executive leadership of both 
hospitals regarding the progress of the merger, as well as the current financial and clinical status 
of the institutions. Testimony will address several critical operational areas, including emergency 
room wait times, staffing levels and workforce stability, the condition and availability of medical 
equipment and infrastructure, supply chain and procurement operations, payroll administration, 
and the hospitals’ overall financial condition and revenue cycle performance.  
 
INVITED TESTIFIERS: 
                                      Ms. Darlene A. Baptiste, MA Ed, RTT, EMT, CPM 
                                                                               CEO,  
                                                                  Territorial Hospitals                                                               
               
                                                                       Mr. Jerry Smith 
                                                                            Chairman, 
                                 Virgin Islands Government Health and Hospital Corporation 
 
                                                                 Mr. Darryl A. Smalls 
                                                                   Executive Director, 
                                                      Facilities & Capital Development 
                                                Territorial Hospital Redevelopment Team