by Mindy Aguon

Guam - As the Government of Guam looks to reorganize and reduce the cost of government, apparently the Guam Memorial Hospital is no exception. The island's only civilian hospital is looking at what positions will be on the chopping block as it looks to save money without jeopardizing services.

"GMH being a service provider especially in the healthcare industry, we are taking this government wide cost saving cost reduction effort by the governor seriously," said Acting Hospital Administrator Rey Vega, noting that a review of positions the hospital can cut without flatlining is currently being conducted. A list of the positions will be submitted to the board for reviewing during their board meeting this evening.

"We are still looking at a number of ways to save costs," he added. "Significantly over the past eight months we were able to save costs in overtime, standby pay and on call, we will continue to do that and at the same time cognizant of the fact that we will move forward with the government wide cost reduction including personnel."

Vega isn't sure the hospital can meet the Calvo Administration's call for each GovGuam agency to reduce their budgets by ten percent, but it's a goal officials are working toward. "We are looking at services, merger of services, we are looking at realignment of resources, human resources to meet the mission of this government wide cost reduction," he continued.

As plans are still being reviewed, Vega says the full cost savings measures that are being proposed by management will be presented to the board at this tonight's meeting.

"We will not compromise patient care and services, we will look of other ways in order to meet the mission of cost reduction but I can guarantee the community we will not compromise care at GMH," he said.