Pacific Legislators Push For Regional Health Insurance HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Marianas Variety) – A regional healthcare insurance plan for all island residents in the region may soon be realized if an Association of Pacific Island Legislatures (APIL) resolution comes to fruition. The resolution was introduced during the APIL’s recently concluded 32nd General Assembly held in Honolulu, Hawaii. APIL Resolution No. 32-GA-01, CD1, sponsored by Speaker Judith T. Won Pat in her capacity as the president of the APIL, resulted from a collaborative effort of her APIL colleagues and representatives from health insurance providers from Guam. The health insurance providers included StayWell, Moylan’s NetCare, Calvo’s SelectCare from Guam, as well as MiCare from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Guam Regional Medical Center (GRMC), who all presented before the APIL delegates and guests. A representative from the U.S. Department of Interior DOI was also in attendance and was encouraged by the idea. "This resolution begins the process of really ensuring the people of our region have convenient access to affordable and quality health care," Won Pat said in a statement. She added that if the concept of universal coverage through a regional healthcare network is realized, the financial strain on public hospitals such as Guam Memorial Hospital would decrease. Won Pat expressed her appreciation to the healthcare insurance providers’ representatives, including former Sen. Francis Santos and Eric Plinske of StayWell, Troy Moylan and former Lt. Gov. Kaleo Moylan of NetCare, Frank Campillo and Gina Ramos of Select Care, Nene Nena of MiCare, and Margaret Bengzon, CEO of GRMC, for their collaborative efforts in bringing regional healthcare coverage to the forefront in APIL discussions and for helping to make the 32nd General Assembly a success. In the coming months, the APIL will gather data from the member entities and insurance companies doing business in the respective islands. Won Pat is hopeful that the DOI will see the benefits of a universal plan for the island communities which it serves and assists with the technical and professional needs to effectuate the plan. A pilot concept of an Accountable Care Organization would then be launched and then expanded to serve the needs of all. Won Pat is also hopeful that the coverage called for through a regional healthcare network would be in place within the next two years. APIL member entities include American Samoa; the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; the FSM States of Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap; Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, Hawaii, the Republic of Kiribati, and the Republic of Nauru.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Jul 2013 08:28:14 +0000