Law creates gov’t body to review NMI health care system

A government commission tasked with assessing the health care system in the CNMI will be established under a new law signed yesterday by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio.

Called the Health Care System Review Commission, it complements a recent law creating a task force that is mandated to look into the formulation of medical and health insurance coverage for island residents.

The task force emphasizes the review of health insurance, while the newly-created commission expands the scope of review to other areas of health industry as well as health insurance laws and regulations, according to the local chief executive.

“I urge the two groups to work together to avoid duplication and share information in order to expedite their reports on time,” he said in signing PL 12-28.

Under that law, the commission scrutinizing the overall health care industry on the island will have to submit its findings and recommendations to the governor and presiding officers of the Legislature.

The task force likewise is required to report to the top officials of the government, but its review only tackles health and medical insurance policies.

Both laws came amid efforts by island leaders to improve health care system on the islands and to make it more affordable to larger number of people.

Meanwhile, Mr. Tenorio also signed another measure seeking to update quarantine requirements of the government. The move followed his veto of the initial legislation early this year.

He said he is satisfied with the changes made by lawmakers to the bill to respond to the public safety concerns which he raised when he disapproved the original draft.

But the governor recommended few technical corrections to the new law, such as requiring vaccination for infectious crime hepatitis through a government permit since this is not part of the legislation.

“This measure addresses the long overdue need to modify our prior quarantine law, while it benefits our community and safeguards the health and safety of the people,” Mr. Tenorio said in signing PL 12-29.

In vetoing the initial proposal last January, the governor underscored the need to enhance the government anti-rabies program to prevent accidental introduction of the disease on the islands.

Since CNMI is not listed by the WHO as a rabies-free area, the Department of Land and Natural Resources will have to work with U.S. Department of Agriculture and other agencies to secure a new status for the Commonwealth, according to officials.

The new law eases existing regulations on quarantine by allowing entry for pets properly vaccinated against infectious diseases without strict confinement that entails great cost to pet owners.