Sandra King-Young Explained

Tofoitaufa Sandra Salevasaosamoa King-Young is an American Samoan politician. She is currently the American Samoa Medicaid Director.[1] [2] She is a member of the American Samoa Democratic Party.

Tofoitaufa was born in American Samoa and educated at Loyola Marymount University, George Washington University and the Stanford Graduate School of Business.[1] In 1999 she was appointed Deputy Director of the Office of Insular Affairs.[3]

She participated in the 2012 American Samoa gubernatorial election as running mate for Save Liuato Tuitele,[4] but was eliminated in the first round.[5]

In August 2013 she resigned as chair of the LBJ Tropical Medical Center in order to take up the position of Medicaid director.[6]

In May 2019 she was forced to suspend critical health services due to lack of funding.[7] In November 2019 the off-island referral program to treat American Samoans overseas was suspended.[8] In August 2020 she suggested a sales tax or legalisation of medicinal marijuana be used to fund medicaid in American Samoa.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: SANDRA KING YOUNG . United States Congress . 26 August 2022.
  2. Web site: Sandra King Young | Samoan, Public Servant, Leader. Sandra King Young.
  3. Web site: Politician Tulsi Gabbard, 'West Side Story' star Rita Moreno among influential women from U.S. territories. www.usatoday.com. 13 August 2020 .
  4. Web site: Save picks woman as American Samoa co-candidate . RNZ . 23 January 2012 . 26 August 2022.
  5. Web site: Gubernatorial race in American Samoa has no clear winner . RNZ . 8 November 2012 . 26 August 2022.
  6. Web site: American Samoa hospital has new interim chairman . RNZ . 5 August 2013 . 26 August 2022.
  7. Web site: US funding shortfall sees health services suspended in American Samoa . RNZ . 27 May 2019 . 26 August 2022.
  8. Web site: America's 'Shame': Medicaid Funding Slashed In U.S. Territories. Selena. Simmons-Duffin. www.capradio.org.
  9. Web site: Medicinal marijuana option looked at as American Samoa seeks funding . RNZ . 24 August 2020 . 26 August 2022.