Fagatogo, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa has been selected by the National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices to participate in the NGA Policy Academy to Strengthen Benefits Systems Through Innovative Technology. The territory is one of three jurisdictions chosen nationwide, alongside Louisiana and Hawaii, and the only U.S. territory selected. 

The year-long Academy provides participants with national expertise, peer learning, and hands-on technical assistance to modernize the systems that deliver health and nutrition benefits to their residents. The selection is especially meaningful for the territory.

Unlike their counterparts in the states, American Samoa's Medicaid program and the American Samoa Nutrition Assistance Program (ASNAP) both operate under capped federal funding, which makes efficient, well-connected systems essential to making every dollar count for the families these programs serve. 

American Samoa's Academy team includes the Department of Human and Social Services (DHSS), which administers ASNAP; the American Samoa Medicaid Agency; LBJ Tropical Medical Center; and the Office of the Governor. 

Over the course of the Academy, the team will focus on four priorities: assessing how recent federal legislation under H.R. 1 applies to the territory; modernizing the data and benefit-delivery systems behind Medicaid and ASNAP, building on Medicaid modernization work already underway and ASNAP's recent transition to Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT); improving data reporting between LBJ Tropical Medical Center, the territory's only hospital, and the Medicaid program; and strengthening payment accuracy and program integrity. 

For families, this work is expected to mean faster application processing, fewer repeated forms and office visits, and more reliable access to health coverage and food assistance. For local retailers, a stronger EBT system supports prompt reimbursement. 

For the government, to Strengthen Benefits Systems Through Innovative Technology modernized systems will reduce manual workloads, and improve the quality and consistency of data across agencies and in reports to federal partners. 

"This work is about serving our people better," said Governor Pulaali'i Nikolao Pula. "When our agencies work together, strengthen coordination, and improve how information is shared, our whole community benefits. Through this initiative, we have an opportunity to improve the delivery of essential healthcare and nutrition assistance, reduce unnecessary delays, and ensure that our families receive the services they depend on in a more efficient and timely manner. Our Administration remains committed to strengthening these programs and making the best use of the resources available to support the needs of our people." 

Governor Pulaall'i also thanked the NGA Center for Best Practices for the opportunity and said American Samoa looks forward to learning alongside the teams from Louisiana and Hawai'i.