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Joint panel OKs $11.58M line of credit for CHC
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Posted on Apr 25 2012
By Haidee V. Eugenio
Reporter
Reporter
A back-to-back session of the Senate and House of Representatives today could pave the way for the passage of a conference committee bill authorizing the Marianas Public Land Trust to give up to $11.58-million line of credit to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.
The $11.58 million includes the $3 million already provided to CHC as well as a $1.58 million loan for the hospital’s electronic system, leaving up to $7 million in additional line of credit.
The bill was bouncing back between the House and the Senate since December, and lawmakers’ inability to pass it swiftly drew criticism from CHC doctors and other medical personnel.
Sen. Ralph Torres (R-Saipan), co-chair and spokesperson of the six-member Conference Committee on House Bill 17-278, said yesterday that the Senate had earlier agreed to help CHC but through a different method.
Torres, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, said the final details of the line credit will be between CHC and MPLT.
“The joint conference committee agreed to secure future interest from MPLT to assist CHC so they can continue in providing healthcare for the CNMI,” he said.
House floor leader George Camacho (Ind-Saipan), when asked for comment, said the House is poised to pass the compromise version of HB 17-278 today.
Torres, for his part, said the Senate will pass it also today.
Rep. Frank Dela Cruz (R-Saipan) said he is leaning towards supporting the compromise bill because CHC is in turmoil and needs immediate infusion of cash. As of yesterday, he had yet to read the conference committee bill.
If the House and Senate approve the bill today, it will be on its way to Gov. Benigno R. Fitial for action.
On Friday, Fitial again declared a state of emergency for CHC, allowing for both the reprogramming of funds to prevent a hospital shutdown and for the corporation to continue to contract with International Consulting Services LLC for medical billing services without going through standard procurement rules.
