Lawmakers are taking a closer look at how to tackle Guam’s ongoing physician shortage — with a focus on recruiting doctors from overseas. During a confirmation hearing Wednesday for Dr. Ricardo Eusebio’s appointment to the Guam Board of Medical Examiners, much of the discussion centered on bringing foreign-trained physicians to the island.

"I truly feel that this is going to help the people of Guam. We've always struggled with having enough physicians to take both of primary care and specialty care and part of that reason is that we are geographically not in place where physicians want to be in," said the doctor.

Eusebio, who serves as medical director at Guam Memorial Hospital, said he has long supported recruiting doctors from other countries to help fill gaps in both primary and specialty care. He noted that in the past, there was resistance to the idea — but believes attitudes are shifting.

He said, "There were many people who were opposed to it. But now there are many people who feel this is the right time. I feel we need to really pursue this at this time."

He also pointed out that many local patients already travel to the Philippines for medical treatment, and questioned why those same doctors would be viewed differently if they practiced here on Guam.

"That never made any sense to me," he commented.

Eusebio acknowledged differences in training systems, but said the role of the board of medical examiners is to ensure any physician — local or foreign — meets safety and licensing standards. "We need to be able to say this physician is safe this position can be here on Guam. And deliver care to the people of Guam so people don't have to go to the Phillipines or elsewhere to obtain safe and adequate care," he said.

The conversation comes as Senator Telo Taitague pushes Bill 206-38, which would allow the board to recognize certain international exams and credentials and expand recruitment of foreign medical graduates in underserved areas.

The measure would also leverage existing federal programs, including the J-1 Visa Waiver and the Conrad 30 program, which permit qualified foreign doctors to remain in underserved communities rather than returning to their home countries.

Taitague said the entire island qualifies as underserved.

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero has proposed similar legislation, and there are discussions about combining efforts.

For GMH, Dr. Eusebio said the changes could mean greater flexibility to recruit doctors from countries like the Philippines, Japan and Taiwan — with the goal of keeping patients on island and expanding access to care.

"We can be competitive in terms of allowing those people to come here is because the salaries that we can provide them would be much better than where there from. there is some incentive there. to see how medicine is practiced in the u.s.is also an incentive," he said.

As lawmakers continue to weigh Bill 206-38 and other proposals, the debate now centers on balancing access to care with patient safety — and whether expanding pathways for foreign-trained doctors could be the key to easing Guam’s physician shortage.