By Emmanuel T. Erediano
emmanuel@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
FINANCE Secretary Tracy B. Norita on Tuesday signed the contract renewal for group health and life insurance coverage with Aetna International Inc., averting a potential healthcare crisis for CNMI retirees and active government employees.
The government and Aetna International sealed the deal immediately after Gov. David M. Apatang signed the $138.9 million fiscal year 2026 revised Appropriation and Budget Authority, or Public Law 24-20, ensuring continued insurance coverage for about 7,000 retirees and active employees.
Last month, the NMI Settlement Fund warned retirees in separate notices that their health insurance benefit payments would lapse after Dec. 31 if new funding was not secured. Extending the coverage required the government to fund the Group Health and Life Insurance program at $7.2 million.
Before the governor signed P.L. 24-20, which allots $4.3 million for GHLI, he first signed P.L. 24-19, which allocates $2.8 million from $3.7 million in lapsed funds for the program.
Now that the government has renewed its contract with Aetna, open enrollment — which allows new members to join — will begin immediately, with no changes to premiums. Current members will also have the option to make changes to their selected plans.
The governor said he is thankful to the Legislature for passing the revised FY 2026 budget and supplemental bills that ensured proper funding for GHLI, a critical program for retirees and active government employees.
In an interview, Norita said she was relieved the Legislature passed the budget and supplemental funding. “This ensures our government health coverage can continue and Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. revenues aren’t disrupted,” she said.
“Open enrollment will begin immediately and run through Jan. 30. Materials will be ready for distribution soon. I’m grateful for our partnership with Aetna and Pacifica for standing by us in times of financial uncertainty and working with us to ensure our members experience the least disruption possible,” Norita added.
Commonwealth Retirees Association Secretary and former Rep. Mario Taitano said on behalf of retirees and their families, “I extend my sincere gratitude to the Legislature and the governor for their untiring support in ensuring our health insurance premiums are paid for some of the most vulnerable citizens of our CNMI.”
Taitano said he also hopes the Finance secretary will not rely on the Office of the Attorney General regarding the legality of the casino commissioners’ compensation, noting that despite “the law allowing us to receive the compensation, payment was refused after the AGO advised against it.”
“Rather, the issue should be allowed to be resolved by the courts,” said Taitano, who is also a board member of the disbanded Commonwealth Casino Commission.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
