Hospital supports bill to capture tax revenues

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - Currently underfunded, in debt, short supplied and short staffed, Guam Memorial Hospital management believes Bill 91 would give a much needed cash infusion to the hospital. The measure seeks to capture tax revenue generated by not only Guam Regional Medical City but all newly opening for profit medical centers and clinics.

Senators Rory Respicio and Tom Ada believe that once the new private hospital opens, the number of patients seen at GMH will decrease resulting in loss of revenue for the hospital.

GMH administrator and CEO Joseph Verga says he supports the measure. "Any funds directed to GMH of course will go to serve the people of Guam and continue to enable us to continue to fund the level of service we provide so whether it's in the way of additional medication supplies much needed staff paying down the debt," he explained.

Verga says he would also support any efforts to apply this industry-wide to existing for profit clinics as well.