GOVERNOR Arnold I. Palacios confirmed the transfer of $80,000 to the Health Network Program, Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. Chief Executive Officer Esther L. Muna said on Tuesday.
As a result, CHCC said, the HNP “continues subsistence benefits for its beneficiaries.”
The HNP is formerly known as the Medical Referral Services Office.
CHCC said its discussions with the governor have been “productive,” and that the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation has “voted to approve an additional appropriation of $300,000” for the HNP.
Muna and Palacios likewise “discussed long-term strategies to ensure the sustainability of the HNP. Both leaders expressed optimism about these solutions and reaffirmed their commitment to working together to promote the health and well-being of the CNMI community,” CHCC said.
CHCC earlier said that HNP “continues to be significantly underfunded,” with the last appropriation made in May 2024 through Saipan Local Law 23-15. Furthermore, a recent notice from the Office of Management and Budget informed CHCC that HNP funding will be reduced by 2.15% for the remaining months of the current fiscal year.
In a separate but related issue, CHCC last month said it had yet to receive $8.6 million in Medicaid funding from the central government. The amount is for the healthcare services that CHCC provided to Medicaid patients from June 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2023.
Spending bill
On Tuesday, the Saipan delegation unanimously passed House Local Bill 23-62 to appropriate $2.5 million in poker fee collections as follows:
– $1.65 million for the Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance
– $300,000 for the HNP
– 100,000 for the Saipan Mayor’s Office
– $50,000 for the Northern Islands Mayor’s Office
– $30,000 for the Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council
– $60,000 for Cultural Heritage Month
– $75,000 for the Saipan Zoning Office
– $15,000 for the FSM Independence Day celebration
– $10,000 for the Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation
– $10,000 for the Marianas Racing Association
– $5,000 for the 38th Anniversary of the 13 Fishermen Monument
– $50,000 payment to Hawaiian Rock for arrears
– $50,000 for the Center for Living Independently
– $50,000 for the Marianas Alliance of Non-Governmental Organizations
– $25,000 for the Office of Management and Budget
– $20,000 for the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services
Rep. Blas Jonathan Attao, who introduced the local appropriation bill on Tuesday, asked the delegation chairman, Rep. John Paul P. Sablan, and delegation floor leader, Sen. Celina Babauta, to place the bill on the calendar for action.
Babauta moved to suspend the rules to place H.L.B. 23-62 on the calendar. Her motion was unanimously approved.
The bill now goes to the governor.
