Muna pleased with House decision to put off action on SB 18-52

After a heated debate at the House of Representatives on a Senate bill that will turn the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.’s advisory board into a governing one, CHCC chief executive officer Esther Muna said she is pleased with the House’s decision to refer the bill back to the committee for further review.

In a statement to Saipan Tribune after the Tuesday session, Muna said that she is pleased with the House’s decision.

Senate Bill 18-52, authored by Sen. Joaquin Borja (Ind-Tinian), seeks to amend some sections of Public Law 16-51 to strip the governor of the power to appoint the corporation’s chief executive officer and give that power to the board and also strip the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.’s CEO and other hospital executives of their voting rights during board meetings.

Muna said that PL 16-51 made the board an advisory one for many reasons and it was created with the health of people in mind.

“It’s obvious the push for passing SB 18-52 is politically motivated because it lowers the qualification requirement for the board members and the directors of Rota and Tinian and that I’m not a ‘Yes, sir’ CEO. I pray the Legislature look at this bill and consider what’s best for the CNMI and not just because ‘Esther Muna is CEO,’” Muna said.

“If it’s Esther Muna you want out and are truly not pleased with her performance, then PL 16-51 can remedy that. However, if you agree a CEO should not be changed with a performance that shows progress considering the lack of support from the board, the lack of funding given to CHCC, and the fact that it was in the state of disaster two years ago, then PL 16-51 can ensure that,” she added.

Muna urged lawmakers not to change the law and remove the voting rights of the two critical decision makers “who know more about health care” and leave it solely in the hands of individuals who don’t.

“Let it be known that I never lobbied for this job and the governor and the board members know that. I was officially appointed in April 2014 because I had informed the governor and CHCC chairman that I will be leaving CHCC. Whether its Esther Muna leading this organization or not, the person selected to lead should remain qualified and committed and should not have to be easily influenced by politics. SB 18-52, I assure you, will change that,” she said.

‘Bill has nothing to do with her position’
In a separate interview, CHCC board chair Jack Torres said he himself recommended to the House to have the bill be referred back to the committee.

Despite the argument that went on at the Legislature, Torres said there were a lot of questions asked during the House session and that it is only fair that the questions be answered honestly and completely.

When asked if pushing for the passage for SB 18-52 was due to Muna’s position, Torres said it has nothing to do with that.

“The bill basically establishes a governing board so the bill doesn’t remove her from her position. It has nothing to do with her position. Because of a resolution that was adopted earlier in May 2014, Muna will be evaluated,” Torres said.

When asked if he is has any background in health administration, Torres said: “That’s not a requirement. Most public corporations in the NMI have a governing board and they are not composed of experts in healthcare and they oversee performance and make policies without the expertise,” Torres said.

“What Muna said is her own opinion and it is not based on proven systems or structures,” Torres added.

Aside from Torres, CHCC board members Pete Dela Cruz and Phillip Long support the bill as well. One other board member, Tony Raho, has made it clear he does not support the bill and said it should be further reviewed. Roy Rios could not be reached for comment as of press time.