U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) urged a thorough review and expedited consideration of legislation reauthorizing Title II of the Compact of Free Association with the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing to receive testimony on the Compact. Senator Akaka, a senior member of the Energy panel, is an original cosponsor of S.J.Res. 16, a joint resolution to codify the negotiated agreements between the United States, RMI, and FSM, that was introduced on Monday, July 14, by Senator Pete V. Domenici (R-NM), chairman of the Energy Committee.
"For the past three years, we have been focused on the September 30, 2003, date of the expiration of Title II of the Compact," Akaka said. "While I am disappointed that it took until July 2003 for us to receive the legislative proposal, I am glad that it is finally here, and congratulate Minister Zackios [RMI Foreign Minister], Secretary Anefal [FSM Economic Affairs Secretary], and Colonel Short [Director, Office of Compact Negotiations, Department of State] for the completion of what has been a challenging negotiation process.
"The Pacific islands hold a special place in my heart, not only because I come from Hawaii, but because I spent time in what is now the RMI and FSM as a soldier during World War II and as first mate on a missionary ship after the war. While the Compact has been successful in guiding the transition of the RMI and FSM from U.N. Trust Territories to independent nations, and in preserving the national security interests of the U.S. , RMI, and FSM, it has not been as successful in the area of economic development and economic self-sufficiency. I welcome the opportunity to address some of the shortcomings in the first Compact with respect to granting procedures and accountability, both on the part of the United States, as well as the RMI and FSM."
Senator Akaka emphasized the importance of improving the health and education infrastructure in the RMI and FSM. "We must support local efforts to improve the medical facilities and schools in these nations," Akaka noted. "I believe it is imperative to continue eligibility for citizens of the Freely Associated States (FAS) in federal programs including Head Start, Pell Grants, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), No Child Left Behind Act, bilingual education and adult and vocational education. We also must examine eligibility for medical programs to address the prevalence of diabetes and cancer in FAS. I cannot stress the importance of these programs to the U.S. investment in these islands and to our commitment to helping these nations to be economically self-sufficient."
In the Senate, Senator Akaka has led a bipartisan effort to restore Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) eligibility for children and pregnant women who are citizens from the Freely Associated States (FAS citizens) and reside in the United States lawfully.
Akaka also spoke of the significant impact that the Compact has had on the State of Hawaii since 1986. The original Compact authorized funds to offset the costs of FAS citizens in the State of Hawaii. The state, however, did not begin receiving Compact impact reimbursements until fiscal year 2002, and it is minimal compared to the amount the State of Hawaii had expended over the past 17 years. "During a briefing in March 2003, the Bush Administration was unable to tell me how it reached the $15 million figure, which is the amount of funding to be distributed among the State of Hawaii, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and Guam for Compact impact costs," said Akaka. "I have been working for the past two years to find a way to more appropriately reimburse the jurisdictions who have absorbed costs associated with FAS citizens. I have been working with Hawaii's Governor, our Attorney General, and the state agencies that are bearing the majority of the costs, including the Hawaii Departments of Education, Health, and Human Services."
Senator Akaka also underscored the necessity of addressing the medical debt owed to Hawaii's hospitals and medical providers. The current Compact authorizes funding for the payment of medical referral debt prior to 1985. Given the significant amount of debt owed to Hawaii's hospitals and medical providers, Senator Akaka intends to propose a similar provision which will authorize funding to be provided to the FSM and RMI to repay medical referral debts incurred prior to 2003.
"Our first obligation is to ensure that this legislation is consistent with the intent of the Compact of Free Association," Akaka recommended. "We must ensure that it contains sufficient funding and support to meet the goal of assisting the RMI and FSM to achieve economic self-sufficiency in 20 years. We must also ensure, however, that the jurisdictions impacted by the Compact are appropriately reimbursed."
