HNP suspends subsistence benefits

The Health Network Program, formerly known as the Medical Referral Program, has announced that it will be suspending subsistence benefits this month due to lack of funding.

Last month, the program, under the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., sent out a letter to its beneficiaries regrettably informing them that their subsistence benefits will be suspended Sept. 1, 2024.

Subsistence funding is money given to patients referred off-island for medical treatment—and their primary escort —for essential resources like food.

“We regret to inform you that beginning Sept. 1, 2024, subsistence benefits will be suspended until adequate funding for the beneficiaries is appropriated and made available to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.,” said the letter.

The letter further explained that the program is significantly underfunded resulting in this suspension.

“Per Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands Public Law 22-33, the CHCC must operate the program ‘within budgetary appropriations.’ Unfortunately, the program continues to be significantly underfunded, with the last appropriation made in May 2024 via Saipan Local Law 23-15. Furthermore, a notice from the Office of Management and Budget said that HNP funding would be reduced by 2.15% for the remaining months of the current fiscal year,” said the letter.

“We are truly sorry for the inconvenience of this unavoidable but necessary actions,” the HNP letter further stated.

Meanwhile, in a brief interview with Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, he stated that he is addressing this issue and will be working on transmitting funds to CHCC for the continuance of the HNP program.

Saipan Tribune tried to get comments from CHCC but they have yet to release a statement.

According to an HNP beneficiary who requested anonymity, the government should prioritize resolving this issue.

“We are seeking help, as this situation is very difficult for us. The governor and the government should prioritize this issue if they really have concern for our people. Sending us far away from home and with limited financial resources is hard, we don’t know how long the subsistence allowance will resolve, but it will surely affect each patient and escort that are depending to that weekly allowance,” they said.

Another beneficiary, who asked that their name be withheld from publication, stated that they have no choice but to accept this suspension.

“We don’t have a choice because they said they don’t have funds so they have suspended the program. We are still thankful because our child’s Medicaid was not affected as it is a federally funded program. The HNP program was still able to provide us three months of daily allowance of $30 for patient and $30 for escort,” said the individual.

Beneficiaries interested in learning more about this suspension may contact HNP staff at (671) 685-5384 for Guam, 808-591-0648 for Hawaii, and 725-259-7688 for the continental United States.