AARP Virgin Islands Champions Health Information Exchange Act (Bill 36-0228) Ahead of Key Legislative Hearing

AARP Virgin Islands announced today its strong support for Bill No. 36-0228, the Health Information Exchange Act, which would formally establish the Virgin Islands Health Data Utility (HDU) and implement the Virgin Islands Health Information Exchange (VIHIE)—a modern, integrated system designed to securely share health information across hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and health care providers.

The legislation initiated by The Office of the Governor’s Office of Health Information Technology will be the subject of an upcoming committee hearing at the 36th Legislature, where AARP Virgin Islands State Director Troy De Chabert-Schuster will testify in favor of the bill.

MEMBERS ONLY

AARP-VI: Bill 36-0228 Is Essential for Improving Health Care in the Territory

AARP Virgin Islands supports the bill because the creation of the HDU and the implementation of the VIHIE would bring:

• Better care coordination across providers
• Reduced delays in treatment and fewer repeated tests
• Improved patient safety and data accuracy through modern digital records
• Stronger disaster resilience, with electronic records less vulnerable to storms or physical loss
• Public health benefits, including improved disease tracking and population health reporting

The bill establishes the HDU as a special-purpose, independent public benefit corporation responsible for managing the Health Information Exchange and providing a comprehensive, territory-wide health data infrastructure. It will include all health providers over a phased period of time.

AARP-VI State Director Troy De Chabert-Schuster to Testify

De Chabert-Schuster will stress the critical importance of this modernized data system for older adults, caregivers, and families in the Territory—many of whom struggle under a fragmented health system. “For too long, Virgin Islanders have carried the burden of delivering their own medical information from one provider to the next. Bill 36-0228 represents a turning point. A fully functioning Health Information Exchange will reduce barriers, modernize our health care system, and help ensure that older adults receive consistent, coordinated, and timely care,” said De Chabert‑Schuster.

AARP-VI also highlighted comments from Michelle Francis, Executive Director, Office of Health Information Technology, Office of the Governor, USVI who underscored the importance of sustainable investment in local health infrastructure: “If we're going to be serious about supporting health here in the Virgin Islands, we've got to be realistic about the ebbs and flows of federal dollars and become less dependent on those federal dollars. The impact and benefit of the $2 million annually that might be required in infrastructure and data management investment far outweighs the $80 million plus we send out of the Territory every single year for residents to receive care.”

Why This Legislation Matters for Families

The documents provided to AARP-VI outline powerful examples of how a connected health data system would transform care for everyday Virgin Islanders, including new parents, older adults managing multiple providers, and families supporting loved ones with chronic illness. A Health Information Exchange ensures:

• A patient’s complete medical history can be accessed instantly by authorized providers
• Fewer repeated tests, lost forms, or inconsistent medical instructions
• Faster diagnosis and improved emergency response
• Increased efficiency across hospitals, clinics, and labs