Previous Story
‘Impact study needed on CHCC, DPH separation talks’
For Sen. Teresita A. Santos (R-Saipan), a fiscal impact analysis is needed on the possible separation of the Division of Public Health from the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.
Santos
The CHCC confirmed yesterday that there are indeed discussions on splitting up the hospital and the Public Health division.
“In my opinion, it is highly recommended that a fiscal impact or analysis be first conducted to determine its costs benefits prior to its implementation,” Santos said.
“As some of us know, the programs and/or services provided by public health are 100-percent federally funded while clinical are not and as such, with its current set up, those services provided by the clinical are being subsidized by public health including its supplies, operations, and equipment,” she said.
Santos, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, added that the law also needs to be amended.
“Further, to separate public health from clinical would require amending or modifying Public Law 16-51, including identifying at least a minimum of $10 million to sufficiently fund the clinical operations of CHCC,” Santos said.
She emphasized that she is not against the proposal, nor is she in favor of it as of this point. Santos added that lawmakers should study this further before arriving at a decision.
CHCC board chair Jack Torres earlier said there are indeed discussions on the planned split and that he was meeting Gov. Eloy S. Inos to talk about this.
Torres said he is not in favor of separating CHCC into two entities.
“Status quo is preferred. I’d like to see that it remains under the corporation. Some members of the 19th Legislature want to see the two separated and I think the governor is leaning toward it. I want to explain to the governor to see that it remains as is. [CHCC chief executive officer] Esther Muña and I seem to be in the same agreement and we would like to see the two remain as is and once we’re basically settled down, we can discuss separation. But not at this time. My personal preference would be for DPH and the hospital to be as is,” Torres said.
He confirmed that there are still no concrete details about the proposal, like possible legislation being introduced or an executive order being drafted.
