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