by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - Senator Ben Pangelinan responds to Acting Governor Ray Tenorio's veto of Bill 513. The Barrigada lawmaker stating "I worry that the interest of taxpayers, government employees and the general public have been sacrificed for special interest" Pangelinan's bill was introduced and passed in session in a span of two weeks" Pangelinan defends his bill would provide more options for healthcare coverage and would have saved GovGuam employees and retirees money. The legislation was passed even though the AG's Office wanted more time to review the bill and an independent actuary said it would instead drive up costs for employees and retirees. Pangelinan argued however that in no way can the bill raise rates on health insurance from what we are paying now. The acting governor last week said the bill was another election year empty promise to people "wrought with severe legal, factual, financial and actuarial deficiencies in its assumptions and analysis".