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Lawmakers to ‘explore’ options for CHCC
Lawmakers will explore all the options to determine what is feasible for the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. A move to separate the CHCC and public health has been discussed although the idea is still “hanging.”
“While I’m aware that the administration is mulling over the idea of separating public health services from the CHCC, I am not privy to the details of this plan at this point,” said. Rep. Angel Demapan (R-Saipan).
“This is just one of several options on the table up for consideration. Other options include that of a governing board or remaining with an advisory board, but with structural amendments to existing statute,” he said.
The lawmaker said the Legislature “will openly explore all these options in an effort to determine what is most feasible.” “What is important to note is that it is obvious that CHCC is plagued with many challenges and this has raised much concern within the community. We are at a point where it is critical for all stakeholders to come together to address this issue the best way possible,” Demapan said.
Sen. Teresita A. Santos (R-Rota) last week said a fiscal impact analysis is needed on the possible separation of the Division of Public Health from CHCC.
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, an opinion that CHCC chief executive Esther Muña also agrees with.
