Freedom of choice. That's what the Mayor's Council of Guam continues to advocate for as senators debate the health insurance choice bill on the floor.

Agana Heights Mayor Paul McDonald says although he's had his share of problems with GovGuam's sole source health insurance contract with Aetna, what it really boils down to is giving GovGuam employees and retirees a choice. For McDonald, his issues with not having a choice for insurance started when he sought off-island care in the Philippines.

And the mayor said he wasn't even the worst-case scenario. He shared, "There were several people they couldn't get any answers. They couldn't get treated, because they cannot afford it. Very sad, and like i said - we should have a choice."

As you may recall, the Mayor's Council of Guam unanimously passed a resolution supporting Bill 255 - which would give GovGuam employees and retirees the freedom to select which health care plan they want to enroll in.

MCOG executive director Angel Sablan says the topic will likely come up in tomorrow's mayors' meeting.

"We'll bring it up tomorrow, I know we're not going to be short on the discussion," he said. "I know the mayors would come up and bring it up. COVID has probably put it on the back burner for now, but it's coming up and it's on session, so it's something we really look forward to having the legislature act on. We're still looking forward to having choice. We really want to have a choice."

Meanwhile, Mayor McDonald worries that GovGuam retirees don't know the measure is being debated by senators. He urges man'amko retirees to call legislators to voice their support for choice. And his message to senators?

"Are you there to help the people or help the government? That's the question they should ask themselves," he said. "We have a resolution already. So they should look at it and consider. Reconsider the 'no choice' and give us a choice."