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CHCC and Medicaid agency back prescription-drug monitoring bill; officials warn funding and eligibility limit rollout
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Summary
CHCC and the Commonwealth Medicaid Agency told the Senate health committee that a prescription drug monitoring program (HB 24-36) would align the CNMI with national standards and unlock federal grant opportunities, but both agencies cautioned that sustainable local funding, procurement planning and state-plan amendments are required.
Jesse M. Tudela, chief operations officer at Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, and George Cruz, director of the Commonwealth Medicaid Agency, urged senators to support House Bill 24-36 to establish a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) and to align statutory language with federal program and funding rules.
"Passage of house bill 24 dash 36 will align the CNMI with national standards and open the door to critical federal funding opportunities," Jesse Tudela said, emphasizing that a PDMP helps providers access accurate medication histories and that other U.S. territories and states already operate PDMPs.
George Cruz said the Commonwealth Medicaid Agency supports the intent but cautioned the committee that implementation carries acquisition, integration and recurring costs. He noted that integrating a PDMP with a future pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) could lower integration costs and strengthen program integrity, but that sustainable local funding is necessary for operations and to meet federal compliance.
Senators and program staff also discussed the Health Network Program (HNP) and off-island medical referral coordination. Carmen Lizame (HNP) said HNP helps gather records, arrange referral letters and find accepting physicians; Tiffany Crisostomo (HNP) said HNP is working with insurers and partners such as Samsung Hospital in Korea and St. Luke’s in the Philippines to provide pre-visit consultations and eligibility checks when insurers will accept care.
CHCC and HNP staff acknowledged that network and billing constraints limit where uninsured or underinsured patients can go and urged the committee to consider revising eligibility thresholds and insurer coordination to reduce patient burden.
Next steps: Committee discussion produced requests for agencies to provide cost estimates and technical plans for PDMP procurement, to confirm state-plan amendment language with CMS, and to report back on HNP eligibility criteria and insurer partnerships.
