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To the Secretary of Public Health
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Posted on Aug 04 2005
I am pleased to learn that the Department of Public Health has approved a list of additional health care providers for the Commonwealth’s medical referral patients. As you know my Committee on Health, Education and Welfare Programs has long sought the approval of the Asian Medical Center as an alternative health care provider in the Philippines. This additional, and others, will now offer our patients increased options for their medical needs. I applaud your efforts in recognizing these facilities, and for providing the people of the CNMI with quality medical care.
In a related manner, I am asking your assistance in identifying funding for a medical referral liaison office in Manila to accommodate CNMI patients. As the governor indicated in his State of the Commonwealth Address, there exists a surplus of funds within the medical referral program. This may be a funding source that could be tapped for such purpose. In addition, I ask that you follow-up on the discussion initiated with the Guam medical referral program as to a possible cost sharing of facilities in California, Hawaii and Manila. By forming a partnership with Guam I believe we could save the CNMI thousands of dollars in housing and transportation costs for our medical referral patients.
Lastly, I would like to inquire as to the possible use of the unoccupied military buildings in Tiyan, Guam. At present all CNMI referral patients are lodged at the Harmon Hotel. If the CNMI was granted the use of these buildings, to renovate and house patients, I feel that we could realize a huge cost savings in the long run. Any assistance you might be able to provide in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Again, I commend you for your approval of the added health care services. This is certainly welcome news for the people of the CNMI. Please do not hesitate to contact my office should you wish to discuss any of the above matters.
Sen. Henry H. San Nicolas
