Cruz inquires about hospital's treatment of foreign workers

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - Vice Speaker B.J. Cruz wants to know how the Guam Memorial Hospital intends to enforce the law that prohibits H2-b workers from being repatriated before paying their hospital bills. Public Law 31-87 prohibits employers from purchasing transportation for their workers without first obtaining a clearance from the hospital. But even with the enactment of the law, Cruz says there are more than a dozen instances where H2-b laborers still had outstanding hospital bills but were able to leave the island and return home.

Hospital administrator Joseph Verga says officials are working to address the issue but it is difficult since accurate information about an individual being an H2-b worker isn't always provided upon registration.  Verga adds the hospital cannot ask an individual their immigration status upon registration. 

He suggests that employers be responsible to pay the worker's hospital bill or that each company be required to get a clearance from the hospital first.