Hagåtña, Guam – Guam is that much closer to receiving hundreds of millions of dollars more in Medicaid funding with the passage of a spending bill by the House late last night.

The bipartisan measure includes a provision that increases Medicaid funding to Guam to $127 million annually until September 2021 and also increases the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) to Guam to 83%.

“I join Governors from the Territories of the United States in thanking the House for its passage of a measure that would help millions of Americans keep the healthcare they need. After months of effort, we now have meaningful progress,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “While this measure only provides for a two year deal, the alternative was a clear and present danger to our people and millions of others in Puerto Rico, the CNMI, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa. This shows you that while our individual voices may be too small to hear, together, the Blue Continent can make an impact.”

 The House-passed $1.4 trillion spending deal has bipartisan backing to avert a government shutdown and is now headed to the Senate. President Trump is expected to sign the measure into law.

 “I thank everyone who took part in this work, most especially our brothers and sisters of the Territories who had our back,” added Governor Leon Guerrero.

The Governor has been a strong advocate of bringing Medicaid parity to Guam and the U.S. Territories and has testified before Congress. She has also written numerous letters to call for more funding, the lifting of the Medicaid cap, and the increasing of the FMAP.

“It’s encouraging to see our voices being heard. I hope we can keep this momentum going to find a permanent solution to this perennial problem. The healthcare of our people and those living in the Territories deserve the same treatment no matter what part of the U.S. we live in,” Governor Leon Guerrero said.

For inquiries, please contact Janela Carrera, Director of Communications, at 472-8931 or janela.carrera@guam.gov