Star Marianas Air is pitching a recommendation to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. regarding seating concerns for Rota\u2019s interisland medical referral patients.<\/p>\n
The meeting between the carrier and CHCC on Tuesday was facilitated by Sen. Teresita Santos (R-Rota) after the corporation reached out to her about Rota referrals losing their seats due to the airline\u2019s confirmation policies. <\/p>\n
The two raised allegations of unpaid debt between them but Santos said in a statement after the meeting that the two decided to settle the alleged debts privately.<\/p>\n
Santos said that Star Marianas Air \u201chighly recommended\u201d that CHCC make a \u201creasonable security deposit\u201d to confirm Rota medical referral seats.<\/p>\n
Doing it that way will \u201censure payment of air transportation to our interisland medical referral patients pending the complete processing of a patient\u2019s travel authorizations [or TA] by CHCC,\u201d Santos told Saipan Tribune.<\/p>\n
In a letter dated Dec. 19, 2017, CHCC chief executive officer Esther Mu\u00f1a asked the senator for help about Rota referrals losing their seats due to a cash-payment prior to confirmation policy that Star Marianas imposed in early 2017. <\/p>\n
Mu\u00f1a said in the same letter that the lengthy process of securing TA\u2019s create delays for medical referral patient. She requested that Star Marianas provide a 24-hour exemption for Rota medical referral patients to avoid inconveniences.<\/p>\n
Although nothing has been finalized yet, Mu\u00f1a told Saipan Tribune that discussions about this matter will continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have an understanding of the process that [Star Marianas] wants us to utilize to better serve\u2026patients from Rota,\u201d Mu\u00f1a said. \u201cOverall, it was a good meeting.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Mu\u00f1a declined to disclose specifics of the recommendation, she said CHCC would be communicating with Star Marianas to further discuss the process.<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing is finalized; they made a recommendation, but we need to make sure it complies with our policies. Further discussions would be made,\u201d she said, adding that she was grateful to Santos for facilitating the meeting.<\/p>\n
Rota delegation to act<\/p>\n
Mu\u00f1a said in the same interview that the Rota Legislative Delegation was brought into the picture for assistance. She said CHCC wished to discuss with the delegation how to make the transportation process easier.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is what we were asking for anyway,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
In the same statement from Santos, she said the delegation would give CHCC\u2019s appeal for financial support \u201cserious consideration.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026CHCC appeals for financial support in order to continue accommodating air transportation to our patient referrals. In doing so, our Rota patients can be provided the necessary care and\/or service at CHCC,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe same will be taken into serious consideration by our Rota Legislative Delegation when acting on an appropriation bill soon,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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