Guam lawmakers, hospitals and doctors spar over expansion of licensure pathway for internationally trained physicians

Guam senators, hospital executives and private physicians spent more than four hours debating rival views of how to expand licensure pathways for internationally trained physicians, centering on patient safety, administrative capacity and whether training should be limited initially to government facilities.

Senator Sabrina Montanani opened the hearing by saying Guam needs more doctors but not at the expense of public safety. “Guam needs more doctors. That is not the issue,” she said, adding that Bill 302-38 COR would tighten standards, add structured supervision and require data tracking while also expanding practice settings beyond government-run facilities.

The proposal under discussion would amend Public Law 38-107 and related provisions of the Guam Code Annotated to create a competency-based progression for ITPs, require supervision by Guam-licensed, board-certified physicians in the same specialty, set time limits on provisional licenses, and expand where those license holders may work. Senator Tydegui, sponsor of Bill 303-38 COR, asked the board to adopt rules within a defined timeframe; DPHSS recommended a longer deadline.

Brianna Sablan, acting administrator at the Health Professional Licensing Office (HPLO), told the committee she supported the goal of recruiting physicians but urged caution. HPLO favors preserving the pilot’s…