FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 1, 2025 – Hagåtña, Guam) – Senator Terlaje responded immediately to the Governor’s FOIA request, calling it another attempt by the Governor to distract and question motives of everyone else but the governor while GMH deteriorates. Senator Terlaje, the former Health Committee Chair, reminds the Governor that a public-private partnership was recommended to be pursued by the 2016 Guam Memorial Hospital Task Force, and that a Request for Information (RFI) 16-001 for a private partnership was issued by GEDA in 2016 pursuant to Public Law 33-143. It was also discussed by the governor during her 2024 state of the island address that she was “in active discussions with off-island experts” and there was a “need to partner with private healthcare experts” to address hospital operations. In 2020, Bill 305-35 was also introduced to mandate a public-private partnership for GMH but was objected to by GMH.
“Relative to the FOIA, I have no written communication and certainly no negotiations with any private company regarding any form of public-private partnership with the Guam Memorial Hospital. Bill 13-38 which I introduced cites the public reports preceding the bill and requires a P3 Committee to develop an RFP detailing the scope of the partnership, to submit said RFP to the Legislature for financing, and then to solicit responses.”
“As Chair of the Committee on Health, I held a public hearing on Bill No. 305-35 and the two written testimonies received by my office were sent to the Governor along with the link to the public hearing: https://www.youtube.com/live/9AqCsgmBjGE. I also attached to my FOIA response, the UOG PMBA Cohort XIX Capstone Paper sent to me by one of the students, which discussed GMH and recommended a public-private partnership”.
“I would guess that every elected official on Guam has listened to and discussed with individuals in our community whether privatizing GMH management would improve its current state, especially after this type of partnership was suggested by the Governor and Lt. Governor. I look forward to the input of GMH, GEDA, the medical community and other stakeholders, and await the public hearing on my bill.”
As a longtime advocate for transparent and accountable government, Terlaje remains committed to ensuring that all discussions about GMH’s future are conducted openly and in the best interest of the people of Guam. “I agree with the Governor that full transparency is needed when it comes to GMH and hospital issues, which is why I held the numerous oversights, info briefings and public hearings regarding GMH and the potential location of a new hospital. I look forward to full disclosure and less distractions by the Executive Branch moving forward” stated Senator Terlaje.
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ATTACHED: FOIA Response from Senator Terlaje
FOIA Letter from Senator Terlaje
Bill No. 13-38(COR)
Guam Daily Post Article: Public-private partnership may be needed for GMH operations
For more information, please contact Senator Therese M. Terlaje’s office at (671) 472-3586 or via e-mail at senatorterlajeguam@gmail.com