Pushing full steam ahead with a vision for a medical complex, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero confirmed with KUAM that a new location may be on the horizon.
“I’m trying to locate a site. My goal is to locate a site by the end of the summer because we need to prepare the site; we need to make sure that architectural designs and so forth pre-planning are pre-preparatory before construction. I would like to have construction by the end of next year begin,” said Leon Guerrero.
This comes after unsuccessful attempts to pass legislation, followed by a veto and a failed override attempt, leaving the decision on where to build a new hospital at an impasse.
Three potential sites have already been shot down, including the Governor’s preferences for Eagle’s Field and Eda Agaga and Senator Barnett’s choice of Ypao Point.
Leon Guerrero said, “The location of the site is very crucial. I think you should also ask the senators what their plans are because they’re the ones who have obstructed the site location on two occasions down at the legislature. So, you’ll need to find out from them also what their plans are in providing a hospital for our community, as this hospital’s life-span is quickly ending.”
KUAM reached out to all fifteen senators for a poll on where they’d like to build the hospital.
Senators Chris Barnett, Jesse Lujan, Joanne Brown, Telo Taitague, And Chris Duenas said they’re all in favor of Ypao Point, citing cost savings, proximity to services, and the matrix study.
While, Senators Tom Fisher and Roy Quintana are in favor of central Guam And Mangilao, citing strategic access to the majority of the island and economic growth.
Meantime, Senator Will Parkinson said he’s open to alternatives, including Eda Agaga, but maintains that Ypao Point is not a viable option.
Senator Amanda Shelton echoed those sentiments but remains undecided on an alternative.
Six senators did not respond to KUAM’s request as of news time, including Senators Joe San Agustin, Sabina Perez, Frank Blas Jr., Dwayne San Nicolas, Speaker Therese Terlaje, and Vice Speaker Tina Muna Barnes, though, their stances have been documented in their previous votes on the matter.
The following statements are from each senator who responded to KUAM’s request on the matter.
Sen. Amanda Shelton;
“Leading choices for a location of a new hospital have been discussed at length for quite some time now. I have cast my vote regarding these options and my position has not changed. There is an urgent need to build a new hospital and that is why I have voted as I have.I do not have a specific alternative site to suggest at this time. That said, as important as the actual physical location or footprint of a new hospital is, there are ancillary factors that should also be considered. Here’s an example of what I mean. Guam has 25 federally designated Opportunity Zones. These Opportunity Zones come with powerful tax incentives for private investment. It is possible that construction of a hospital, as an anchor project in an Opportunity Zone, could yield long term sustainable socio-economic benefits to the island in addition to the obvious healthcare benefits. I think this is just one idea worth considering.”
Sen. Tom Fisher;
“Governor Lou Leon Guerrero has a vision for the future of our island. She wants to build the new hospital in Mangilao to benefit the island and future generations. This hospital, once built, will serve as a cornerstone of healthcare for our community, providing essential services to the majority of our island residents. Moreover, it will stimulate economic growth, benefiting not only Mangilao but also neighboring villages such as Dededo, Ordot-Chalan Pago, Yona, Barrigada, and the southern communities. Leadership requires vision, and I fully support the Governor’s leadership on this matter.”
Sen. Joanne Brown;
“As a community, we can all agree that investing in public healthcare infrastructure and quality healthcare services has reached a critical point. As members of the Guam Legislature, my colleagues and I have taken significant measures to tackle this challenge. Every resident of Guam should have access to quality healthcare services, and we are dedicated to making that a reality. We have paved the way for a new hospital at Ypao Point that will offer more advanced and culturally competent healthcare services. Our shared pursuit of the community’s welfare has always been the driving force for attaining a common ground that will benefit everyone. While significant progress has been made, Guam Memorial Hospital continues to face challenges in managing its operations, finances, and cash flow. Despite what the Governor may believe, choosing a new hospital location is not a one-stop solution to all of Guam Memorial Hospital’s problems.
I understand that the Governor has a vision for a medical complex and a new hospital. However, it’s essential to prioritize the community’s well-being as a whole and work towards a solution that benefits everyone. Instead of threatening vetoes and language suggesting a unilateral decision on the hospital location, we should explore other options that fulfill our commitments to the people. One potential solution could be to create specialized hospitals, such as surgical hospitals, utilizing both Ypao Point and the current hospital location, even if it means a complete rebuild of the current facility.”
Sen. Jesse Lujan;
“It’s no secret that I have been an advocate for where the infrastructure is already in place. In the past, I have voted for the hospital to be built in Tamuning. But while the location of the new hospital is important, I think we also need to look at the bigger picture. Wherever we decide to construct this new hospital, it still comes down to maintaining it and making it sustainable. We have to understand that it’s equally imperative to focus on who will develop, manage, and operate the hospital. Regrettably, Guam has a history of organizing but not executing. In my view, the key stakeholders who can effectively oversee the development, management, and operation of the hospital should be the primary consideration. We should seriously look into the possibility of a public-private partnership. This includes partnering with healthcare professionals, administrators with expertise in hospital management, and representatives from relevant government agencies responsible for healthcare. While I understand the significance of selecting a suitable location, ensuring that the hospital is led by the proper individuals and organizations with track records of success in healthcare delivery takes precedence. That being said, I place more weight on the credentials and talents of individuals who are tasked with managing and operating the hospital than I do on its physical location. I believe with this approach, we can successfully move forward with this much-needed medical facility.”
Sen. Telo Taitague;
“I think I’ve made my support for Ypao Point very clear. According to the Matrix Study, Ypao Point remains the best option to build a new hospital because of its existing infrastructure, meaning it’ll take less time and be substantially less costly to develop. Not to mention its location near supportive services, as pointed out by the medical community.
We often point out that the deficient quality of care and services is due to a lack of funding and personnel for daily operations, yet we want to choose the more costly, less statistically favorable option to build a new hospital. The OPA had already pointed out that our collectables fall far short from allowing the hospital to be self-sufficient. In today’s already strained economy, we simply cannot be so careless as to prioritize a grand monument project over the quality of healthcare for the people of Guam. If we don’t fix the inadequacies with the existing hospitals here and now, we’re bound to wind up in a new location with the same problems and even fewer solutions. The current administration is on the way out. They are taking out a loan and writing checks on the backs of Guam’s taxpayers and at the expense of today’s declining healthcare and unpromising future dollars. Instead of just dreaming big, why not make it our goal to prioritize fiscal responsibility and provide much-needed quality healthcare sooner rather than later. A dream without a goal is a wish. A goal without a plan is just a dream.”
Senator Will Parkinson;
“Ypao Point, despite its potential advantages, is not a viable location for developing our new healthcare facility. The presence of a fault line at Ypao Point significantly complicates the project’s financing according to our bond counsel, a national law firm with no vested interest in local politics. We have to take our lawyers’ advice seriously, and no serious analysis contradicted their prescient warnings on the difficulty of obtaining bond financing for a hospital at the Ypao Point Location.
I remain committed to exploring all possible options for safety, accessibility, and financial feasibility including the site at Eda Agaga which offers stability and suitability. Right now though the immediate priority is ensuring patient and employee safety at our current Guam Memorial Hospital, and I’m committed to supporting the $36 million in capital improvement projects requested by the Guam Memorial Hospital in their recently submitted FY2025 budget request.”
Senator Roy Quinata;
“I appreciate the opportunity to share my perspective withKUAM News and, by extension, our community. After giving it considerable thought and consulting with various stakeholders, I believe the most suitable location for the new hospital would be in central Guam. This area offers strategic access from all parts of the island, ensuring that emergency services are more readily accessible to the majority of our population. It also affords the possibility of expansion in the future, which is crucial as our community grows. Additionally, centralizing healthcare services can lead to more efficient collaboration among healthcare providers. I recognize the complexity of this decision and the numerous factors that must be considered,including environmental impact, accessibility, and the long-term development plans for our island. I hope this insight proves useful in your coverage and aids in fostering a broader discussion on this vital issue.Looking forward to seeing your report and continuing to engage in discussions that move our island forward.”
By: Destiny Cruz
Source: KUAM News