Statement from Senator Angel L. Bolques Jr. on recent CMS Visit to Juan F. Luis Hospital and the unresolved 2012 report by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of the Inspector General.

St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands — Senator At Large Angel L. Bolques Jr. issued the following statement in response to the recent visit by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to the Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center and the unresolved 2012 report by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of the Inspector General. Report No. VI-EV -OIA-0005-2012 

“I am aware and vigilant of the recent visit by CMS to the Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center amid concerns regarding staffing levels and medical supplies. Whenever CMS is on site to evaluate hospital operations, it demands the full attention of policymakers, healthcare leaders, and the public. Medicare and Medicaid funding remain vital lifelines for healthcare access in the Virgin Islands, and patient safety must always be the top priority.”

“More than a decade ago, federal oversight reports identified structural issues at JFL Hospital, including staffing instability, supply chain gaps, financial mismanagement, and compliance concerns. While improvements have been made, the re-emergence of these concerns today underscores the need for sustained reform rather than temporary fixes.” “Hospitals do not function in isolation; they are part of a broader healthcare ecosystem that requires strong leadership, transparent governance, sound financial controls, and long-term investment. A crisis-response approach is not sufficient; what’s needed is continuous, systemic accountability.” 

“As a legislator, my role is not hospital management but public oversight. I will continue to monitor developments at JFL Hospital, advocate for transparency, and support policies that strengthen healthcare delivery across the Virgin Islands, ensuring protection for patients, support for healthcare workers, and responsible use of public resources. The people of St. Croix deserve to have confidence that their hospital is supported, compliant, and equipped to deliver safe, reliable care, now and into the future.”  

NOTICE: “The report is a publicly released federal Office of Inspector General evaluation and part of the official public record, and it is being referenced solely to provide historical context for ongoing healthcare oversight.” ###