Guam legislators hear plan to release $8.1 million owed to Guam Memorial Hospital
October 27, 2025 | Legislature 2025, Guam
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The Guam Legislature Committee on Finance and Government Operations on Monday heard testimony on Bill 186‑38 COR, a measure that would appropriate the unallotted balance in the pharmaceutical fund to the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA).
Senator Sabrina Salas Matanani, who sponsored the bill, told the committee the legislation seeks to deliver funds already collected under law rather than create new taxes or debts. "No new taxes. No new borrowing. Just paying what is already owed," she said, describing a practice that capped deposits to the pharmaceutical fund at the budgeted level even when collections exceeded expectations.
Interim GMHA administrator and CEO Dr. Jolene Maatnau Uggen testified in strong support, saying the appropriation would stabilize hospital operations and help pay outstanding vendor invoices. "This bill ... confronts the critical financial challenges that impacts our ability to deliver care," she said. Uggen told senators the funding would be used to reduce accounts payable and to cover upfront costs for operational improvements including outsourcing and new software to improve inventory and payroll systems.
The bill text and testimony cite audited shortfalls attributed to prior fiscal years: about $2.3 million for FY2019, $393,000 for FY2021, $2.2 million for FY2022 and $3.2 million for FY2023—totaling about $8.1 million the hospital says was collected but not released.
During questions, GMHA said the $40 million in additional general‑fund support previously authorized by Public Law 38‑59 has largely been used for vendor payments, with roughly $10 million reserved for two capital projects; GMHA reported roughly $130,000 remaining from that vendor payment pool and said a final DOA payment of about $5.9 million was expected on Oct. 30. The hospital offered to provide the committee an updated quarterly report showing current accounts‑payable balances.
GMHA also described infrastructure and procurement work tied to other appropriations, including steps with Guam Power Authority to stabilize electrical systems (auto‑transfer switch and motor controller replacements) and planned purchase of two 1.6‑megawatt generators; those projects are being coordinated with GPA and will proceed through procurement and AG notice requirements.
No formal vote or motion on Bill 186‑38 COR was recorded at the hearing. Committee Chair Senator Christopher M. Duenas closed the public hearing and invited additional written testimony.
Provenance: Testimony and figures above were given by Senator Sabrina Salas Matanani and Dr. Jolene Maatnau Uggen during the Committee on Finance and Government Operations public hearing on Bill 186‑38 COR.
Senator Sabrina Salas Matanani, who sponsored the bill, told the committee the legislation seeks to deliver funds already collected under law rather than create new taxes or debts. "No new taxes. No new borrowing. Just paying what is already owed," she said, describing a practice that capped deposits to the pharmaceutical fund at the budgeted level even when collections exceeded expectations.
Interim GMHA administrator and CEO Dr. Jolene Maatnau Uggen testified in strong support, saying the appropriation would stabilize hospital operations and help pay outstanding vendor invoices. "This bill ... confronts the critical financial challenges that impacts our ability to deliver care," she said. Uggen told senators the funding would be used to reduce accounts payable and to cover upfront costs for operational improvements including outsourcing and new software to improve inventory and payroll systems.
The bill text and testimony cite audited shortfalls attributed to prior fiscal years: about $2.3 million for FY2019, $393,000 for FY2021, $2.2 million for FY2022 and $3.2 million for FY2023—totaling about $8.1 million the hospital says was collected but not released.
During questions, GMHA said the $40 million in additional general‑fund support previously authorized by Public Law 38‑59 has largely been used for vendor payments, with roughly $10 million reserved for two capital projects; GMHA reported roughly $130,000 remaining from that vendor payment pool and said a final DOA payment of about $5.9 million was expected on Oct. 30. The hospital offered to provide the committee an updated quarterly report showing current accounts‑payable balances.
GMHA also described infrastructure and procurement work tied to other appropriations, including steps with Guam Power Authority to stabilize electrical systems (auto‑transfer switch and motor controller replacements) and planned purchase of two 1.6‑megawatt generators; those projects are being coordinated with GPA and will proceed through procurement and AG notice requirements.
No formal vote or motion on Bill 186‑38 COR was recorded at the hearing. Committee Chair Senator Christopher M. Duenas closed the public hearing and invited additional written testimony.
Provenance: Testimony and figures above were given by Senator Sabrina Salas Matanani and Dr. Jolene Maatnau Uggen during the Committee on Finance and Government Operations public hearing on Bill 186‑38 COR.
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