Guam Legislature advances $40 million for Guam Memorial Hospital with reporting and emergency procurement measures

The Guam Legislature’s Committee of the Whole advanced Bill 13‑S, which would appropriate $40,000,000 from the general fund to the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority for operational costs and capital improvements. Lawmakers attached amendments that (1) direct the funds straight to GMHA rather than routing them through the Department of Administration, (2) require quarterly reports on receipt and expenditure, and (3) permit limited emergency procurements for electrical and information‑technology systems upon an emergency declaration.

Why it matters: The hospital has reported large accounts receivable and unpaid vendor balances that lawmakers said have affected supply chains and operations. Committee members repeatedly cited procurement bottlenecks and past instances in which delayed or misdirected state payments left vendors unpaid or funds unspent. The package is intended as a stopgap to stabilize hospital operations while further oversight and potential statutory changes are considered.

Committee debate and amendments Senator Borja offered and won an amendment to have the $40 million go directly to the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority rather than routing the appropriation through the Department of Administration. "Give the money straight to GMH rather than funneling ... having it go to DOE and then transferring it," Borja said on the floor, urging that direct delivery would speed vendor payments and reduce…