By Joan Aguon Charfauros

Copyright kuam

Coming up, island residents are getting a chance to connect directly with health leaders and providers in a one-of-a-kind community forum. From lowering prescription costs to finding the right doctor, it’s about making healthcare easier and more accessible for everyone—especially our manåmko’ and veterans.

“The target is anybody who is using and under Medicare and Medicaid. Because we know with the Trump Administration and on the federal government side, the rules for Medicare and Medicare are not going to be the same this time next year,” explained Jonathan Savares, who is organizing the event, in addition to being a U.S. Veteran Health Services client.

“They are chopping certain things and we don’t want our community to not have the information, as much as they possibly can. So of course we are looking at the Medicare and Medicaid program, and especially our manamko who are on fixed income,” he said.

The Dededo Senior Center will be the place to be this Wednesday evening as healthcare leaders and advocates gather for a special community event. Organizers say the goal is simple: improve access to healthcare and empower residents with the information they need. Savares said that he made it a point to stop by the Aededo and Astumbo senior citizens centers and encourage the manamko to come to the meeting.

“If we start effecting our man’amko, these elderly like to play bingo, they like to have merienda with their friends, if we take money out of their pockets, they walk into the doctor’s clinic and they have an unexpected change, this effects the bottom line for them,” he said. “They are going to have to choose between medical and recreational . You know when they don’t have anything to do on a recreational level, those things really affect your health.”

Residents will hear from key figures in Public Health, Medicare, and the Guam Pharmacy Association, with resources on prescriptions, insurance, and provider access. According to Savares, this is not just any practitioner, its about getting more people preventative care.

“We have the Guam Diamond Lions Club, Guam Pharmacy Organization, Access Transport operated by Ben Servino, and of course we have [American Medical Center],” he said.

Also featured will be former Speaker Frank Blas, Jr. and Dr. Hoa Nguyen, who will share updates and answer questions directly from the community. “We have to start preaching preventative care, everyone takes precaution with their cars, you service your car…but we forget to service our bodies and make sure our health is taken care of. And that’s what we need to promote. We need to be pro-active with our health as we are with other things,” he said.

Reiterating that if we don’t take care of health, it is going to cost more money long term. He hopes Wednesday’s event will be the start of others launched at other village centers.