Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The salary of the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer was examined at by the lawmakers during the joint budget hearing recently as it’s “only $5 dollars away from the Lt Governor’s salary of $120,000 per annum.”

The current salary for the Lt Governor stands at $120,000 while the CEO’s salary is $119,995.

The question was posed by former Governor, Senator Togiola T.A. Tulafono.

 Senator Togiola initially commended the hospital management and the hospital board for their hard work and also having the ability to absorb the criticism by the public on their service. He also thanked them for their “patience” in putting up with the public in carrying out their duties.

“The salary for the CEO is $119,995 [with fringe benefits it increases to $134,348] which is $5 dollars away from the Lt Governor’s salary, as indicated by law.

“Why is the CEO’s salary higher than the Lt Governor, yet the salaries for the CEO’s are capped to be lower than that of the Governor or Lt Governor’s salaries, why is that?” asked Togiola.

Chair of the Board Dr Maloamaua Tuiolosega explained the previous CEO’s salary was $135,000 however with Moefaauo the board reviewed and compared it to the salaries for the physicians working at the hospital.

“At the moment, at the hospital, they’re [Administrators] making more money than the doctors. We are trying to re-adjust the salaries but that is prohibited by law and the Board agreed to hire him on at $120,000 salary as there are others making $160,000 but those salaries should be reduced to be lower than what the CEO is making,” said Maloamaua.

“However I am not aware of a law that caps salaries for CEO of semi autonomous government agencies,” said Maloamaua.

The hospital’s budget for the new financial 2022-2023 year amounts to $145 million an increase from $65 million in the previous financial year.

Chair of the Budget Committee, Magalei Logovi’i inquired about $75,000 million indicated under the ARPA funding for the hospital.

“My question is if the funding to build the new hospital is $50 million, I am part of the Committee that oversees the building of the hospital, where did the $75 million come from,” asked Magalei.

The CEO explained the government allocated ARPA funding of $100,000 million to the hospital to improve its services and $50 million is for the new hospital, while the other $50 million is allocated for the nurses and doctors salaries.

Faipule Larry Sanitoa requested a full report the hospital to account for the $75 million ARPA funding. More from the hospital in later editions.