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House committee to step into CHC rate hike fray
While the chairperson of the Senate health committee opposes room and board rate increases at the Commonwealth Health Center, its counterpart in the House of Representatives seeks answers on whether the rate increases are necessary.
In a statement, House Committee on Health chair Rep. Jose Itibus (R-Saipan) said his committee would “find out more details” about the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.’s room and board rate increases.
Itibus said he was “caught [by] surprise” when he learned that CHCC would be increasing its room and board rates by at least 21 percent across the board, depending on the type of room and type of services associated with the room.
Similar to what Sen. Teresita Santos (R-Rota) related, Itibus also received calls from the public about the increase.
When Saipan Tribune reached out to Itibus, he said he would “not really comment too much about it” as he would like to meet first with the CHCC board of trustees and CHCC chief executive officer Esther Muña.
“Is it really necessary or is it about time? I will meet with my committee, if not this week then next week,” said Itibus in a statement, adding that he wishes to find out first the reasoning behind the increase.
In a Monday statement, the corporation informed the public as well as insurance providers that it is updating its fees and charges for room and board. These update were referred to as “necessary to keep up with the increasing costs of healthcare services in the CNMI.”
The CHCC statement noted that the last time the hospital adjusted its fees and charges was way back in 2012. It said the new rates became effective since Oct. 4, 2017.
The rate increases range from at least 21 percent to 156 percent.
