Guam lawmakers support Bill 118 to expand Medicaid access and healthcare services

The 38th Guam Legislature convened on May 27, 2025, to discuss several key issues, primarily focusing on Bill 118-38, which aims to enhance access to healthcare services for residents, particularly those enrolled in the Guam Medicaid program.

The session began with a strong endorsement of Bill 118-38 by a senator who emphasized the importance of supporting Guam's tax-paying citizens. The senator highlighted that a significant portion of the population, approximately one-fifth, relies on Medicaid, indicating a pressing need for improved healthcare access. The discussion underscored a concern that the government is more engaged in "sick care" rather than proactive health maintenance.

The senator advocated for a realignment of tax policies to better serve the community and ensure that vulnerable populations are adequately supported. A critical point raised was the challenge families face in accessing Medicaid services due to low reimbursement rates for providers. The senator expressed optimism that Bill 118-38 could bridge this gap by encouraging more families, especially children and working adults, to seek regular primary care, thereby reducing the reliance on costly emergency services.

The senator also called for government agencies to enhance their efforts in involving more physicians in the Medicaid program, leveraging technologies like telehealth to improve service delivery. The urgency of implementing the provisions of Bill 118-38 was stressed, with a plea for swift action to ensure its effectiveness.

Following this, another senator voiced full support for the bill, acknowledging the contributions of healthcare professionals, particularly Dr. Hoa Nguyen and Dr. Maniloto, who have actively participated in discussions surrounding healthcare legislation. This senator reiterated the necessity of expanding access to care and indicated that further discussions on tax policy related to healthcare would occur in the coming days.

The meeting concluded with a clear consensus on the importance of Bill 118-38 and a commitment to advancing the legislation to improve healthcare access for Guam's residents. The legislators expressed a collective determination to work collaboratively on this critical issue, setting the stage for future discussions on related tax policies.