Debate continues over new GMH location

The debate continues over the best site for a new Guam Memorial Hospital. Today senators hosted a public hearing on a bill to require that the facility be built in tamuning...at Ypao Point.

The measure by Senator Chris Barnett amends the current law, and identifies Tamuning as the location for a new GMH. It's a site supported by many in the medical community, and by longtime hospital critic Ken Leon Guerrero, who says there are many other locations elsewhere in Tamuning.

That's because several Hawaii facilities have shown that a hospital doesnt necessarily require a lot of land - Honlulu Medical Center, for example. "Bear in mind, this is while they have active medical operations taking place in the facility. They're going from 159 beds to 260. they're going from 400 parking stalls to 1,600 and 50 parking stalls on a five-acre lot," he stated.

But the hearing opened up with a group of veterans who opposed Ypao, like Kenneth Chargualaf, who supports the governor's preferred site in Barrigada because its closer to their homes in the south.  He says Ypao is too far.

"Contrary to some of the comments made, oh it'll take only thirty minutes. Please! Inalahan is my hometown, I know how long it would take. and that's breaking the traffic laws," he stated.

Bill sponsor Barnett, anticipating the southerners' concerns, addressed them in his opening remarks, noting, "The governor's messaging about a medical complex being built on the back road to andersen for the people in the south resonates with southerners who have felt neglected by this administration and others before it. thats why i want to push for improvements to existing faciities in the south, and push for the building of new facilities that are actually located in the south for the people in the south."

The many arguments pro and con continued on the Barnett bill. Both his measure and the governor's bill, which seeks approval for Barrigada have now been publicly heard.

And while neither is on next week's session agenda, they could be, if motions are approved to place them there.