by Jolene Toves

Guam - The Committee on General Government Operations held a hearing on Bill 45 this morning. The measure was introduced by Senator Brant McCreadie and co-sponsored by Senator Rory Respicio. The legislation would amend local law to make it legal for essential hospital employees to go through a hiring agency off-island.

"With this bill, GMH will be able to contract with headhunters to assist in the procurement of health professionals," McCreadie stated. Several doctors met with senators last week, pushing them to pass the bill because of the need to fill two critical positions - a neonatologist and a pathologist. The legislation would allow GMH to pay the hiring agency a service fee of up to fifteen percent of the total contracted first year salary amount of the person hired.

Various members and the judicial system came out today to voice their support and concerns regarding Bill 45. While Bill 45 gained support for the bill's intent the 15 percent cap did not. Dr. Thomas Shieh said, "If you go for percentage, you have no idea what you're going to pay that going to depend on the salary and specialty what I am suggesting is a capitation on the amount and I'm saying a fair amount is anywhere between $12,000 and $15,000."

Sheih points out that because GMH salaries are high the 15% would inadvertently increase the community standards being paid to headhunters.

Meanwhile, GMH administrator Joseph Verga says Bill 45 is more than just a recruitment bill. He said the measure would enable GMH to structure its contracts with physicians in a way in which they are able to facilitate and control the process more quickly. "Right now as it is, the process is really cumbersome and because of the excess delays and having to process contract the way it is know we often loss physicians or other professionals that are waiting to come on board."

Attorney John Brown testified in opposition of the bill, saying it would disrupt the structure of the Guam Procurement Law, noting, "For the purpose of procuring the services of accountants, physicians, lawyers, dentist, licensed nurses and other licensed health professional and other professionals, any governmental body of Guam may act as a purchasing agency and contract on its own behalf for such services."