Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Governor Pulaali’i Nikolau Pula through an executive order (No.009- 25), dated December 5, 2025, has established the Home and Community-Based Services Commission to expand qualified HCBS use, a program that helps individuals live independently and participate in their community.

HCBS is funded through the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program, and administered by CMS — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The American Samoa MFP Work Plan for 2025 — Period 1 required establishing the Commission by the 4th quarter of 2025.

The HCBS Commission is “essential to develop and implement a Territory-wide Olmstead Plan that ensures federal compliance, removes systemic barriers, improves person-centered services, and builds sustainable HCBS infrastructure.”

The plan is a result of an Executive Order issued by President George W. Bush directing federal agencies to work closely with individual states and territories to implement the Olmstead Supreme Court decision.

The HCBS Commission is established within the Office of the Governor to advise the development, implementation, and coordination of HCBS programs and policies in American Samoa.

It is composed of 18 members plus the Commissioner — 9 government agencies will serve in an ex officio capacity, while the other 9 members are as follows:

A Health Information subject matter expert,

Two representatives with lived experience representing target populations including Older Adults; Individuals with physical disabilities; Other qualified populations as defined by the MFP program,

Two representatives from family members,

Pacific Center in Human Security,

Development Disability Planning Council,

American Samoa Legal Aid,

Dementia Friendly of American Samoa,

Hope House

Terms of members are staggered to ensure continuity of Commission work, and not to exceed two years, except for representatives serving as consumer, lived experience, and family members, whose terms will not exceed three years.

Members are appointed by the Governor. The Executive Order does outline the initial appointments stagger schedule, with reappointment for additional terms at the discretion of the Governor, as well as appointments to fill vacancies of unexpired terms.

The HCBS Commissioner is appointed by the Governor. The EO further outlines the commissioner’s general qualifications and responsibilities, including that the position serves as a non-voting ex officio member of the Commission.