A new measure, Bill 220-37, is proposing to add prescription medications to a list of exemptions to the business privilege tax.
Sen. Jesse Lujan, the main sponsor of Bill 220-37, said the measure was the result of public feedback from a hearing on another one of his measures, Bill 4-37, which would exempt food and medicine from the BPT for a year.
“We received testimony in support of Bill 4-37, as well as requests for us to consider forming legislation to completely exempt prescription medicines from the BPT. After engaging with the health care providers then, and also after attending the dinner hosted recently by the Guam Medical Association to discuss improving health care on Guam, I believe this legislation will help both our people and (the) medical community,” Lujan said in a press release regarding Bill 220.
“Ensuring access to health care by exempting prescription drugs is not just a matter of health, but a testament to our commitment as a governing body to ease the financial pain we are all facing and make essential medications affordable. This should provide relief to both our health care providers who dispense the prescribed medications and the patients who need them,” the senator added.
Sens. Chris Duenas, Frank Blas Jr., Thomas Fisher and Chris Barnett serve as co-sponsors to Bill 220.
By: John O’Connor
Source: The Guam Daily Post