By Pacific Daily News
Copyright guampdn
From fixing fire hazards to securing medical supplies for patients, the Guam Memorial Hospital will be the subject of yet another legislative oversight hearing but this time around, it will be held at GMH in Tamuning.
The oversight hearing will be at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25, in the GMH Education Classroom on the fourth floor.
This oversight hearing is jointly called by the Committee on Health and Veterans Affairs chaired by Sen. Sabrina Salas Matanane, and the Committee on Finance and Government Operations chaired by Sen. Chris Duenas.
“This oversight allows us to meet GMH on their turf. As the husband of a critical care nurse, I’ve seen firsthand the struggles and sacrifices of our hospital staff,” Duenas said in a statement on Tuesday.
He said holding the hearing onsite will give him and his colleagues a chance to see and hear for themselves what GMH employees go through every single day.
“It’s not just numbers on paper—it’s real people working under real pressure. This visit will help us better understand the funding GMH truly needs,” he said.
Salas Matanane reiterated that while she absolutely supports building a new hospital, “we cannot ignore the one we have today.”
“GMH is our only public hospital, and it needs help now,” she said. “My bills that are awaiting hearing would provide the funding needed to strengthen GMH, including Bills 186 and 187, which together would direct another $40 million to the hospital.”
For the joint oversight hearing, senators want to hear directly from hospital leaders and staff on the following:
Vendor paymentsCapital improvement projects such as electrical panels, HVAC, and other infrastructureIT system upgradesMedical supplies and equipmentCost containment initiativesSafety protocols.
