by Nick Delgado

Guam - If Bill 107 becomes law, island residents will have the means to get to know their physicians have been disciplined. Senators Tina Muna Barnes, Vice Speaker B.J. Cruz and Tony Ada introduced "The Patient Protection Through Information Act". The measure would require the Guam Board of Medical Examiners to publicly disclose to individual citizens and via the Internet what is commonly referred to as a "physician's professional file."

It would require the public disclosure of temporary restraining orders, revocations, suspensions, as well as public letters of reprimand, to name a few. Local physician Dr. Marjorie Debenedictis says the measure seems favorable, saying, "Anytime you are going to patronize a professional you would want to know have they upheld the standards within the community, so if Senator Barnes is for greater transparency, then that's good."

A few weeks ago KUAM News brought you the story about how on Guam, in order for anyone to find out information about local physicians one would have to first write a letter to the GBME, the board would then have to review your request and then vote on whether to approve the disclosure.