A bill that would establish a public-private partnership at the Guam Memorial Hospital is being scrutinized by the administration.

The governor’s office Friday sent a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Sen. Therese Terlaje requesting any letters, emails, or communications with any private company or private individual regarding a public-private partnership with GMH that the senator has proposed.

Terlaje, who served as the oversight chair on health during the previous legislature, introduced Bill 13 last month.

Gov. Leon Guerrero says the FOIA request hopes to ensure transparency.

"The people of Guam deserve to know if there have been any discussions or negotiations between Sen. Terlaje and any private entities regarding her proposed public-private partnership with GMH,” said Gov. Leon. “Transparency is essential to good governance, and the people of Guam deserve to know all the facts about this proposed public-private partnership."

'Less distractions'

Sen. Terlaje responded immediately to the governor’s FOIA request, calling it another attempt by the Maga’haga to distract and question motives of everyone else but the governor while GMH deteriorates.

Terlaje reminding the governor that a public-private partnership was recommended to be pursued by the 2016 Guam Memorial Hospital Task Force, and that a Request for Information (RFI) 16-001 for a private partnership was issued by GEDA in 2016 pursuant to Public Law 33-143.

The senator adding it was also discussed by the governor during her 2024 state of the island address that she was “in active discussions with off-island experts” and there was a “need to partner with private healthcare experts” to address hospital operations. In 2020, Bill 305-35 was also introduced to mandate a public-private partnership for GMH but was objected to by GMH.

“Relative to the FOIA, I have no written communication and certainly no negotiations with any private company regarding any form of public-private partnership with the Guam Memorial Hospital,” said Sen. Terlaje. “Bill 13-38 which I introduced cites the public reports preceding the bill and requires a P3 Committee to develop an RFP detailing the scope of the partnership, to submit said RFP to the Legislature for financing, and then to solicit responses.”

Terlaje said she looks forward to discussing the issue during a public hearing on the measure.

 “I agree with the Governor that full transparency is needed when it comes to GMH and hospital issues, which is why I held the numerous oversights, info briefings and public hearings regarding GMH and the potential location of a new hospital. I look forward to full disclosure and less distractions by the Executive Branch moving forward,” she said.