Hagåtña, Guam – Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Lieutenant Governor Josh Tenorio issue the following statement on the bipartisan agreement announced by Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. and Ranking Member Cathy McMorris Rodgers to provide short-term Medicaid funding to the U.S. Territories:

“From day one, our federal mission has been clear, focused, and aggressive. From the West Wing of the White House to the halls of Congress, Guam worked with its sister territories to avoid the looming Medicaid Cliff and protect healthcare for the most vulnerable among us,” said Governor Leon Guerrero. “For nearly three years, governors from every US Territory impacted by the federal inequities of Medicaid wrote joint letters, submitted testimony to Congress, lobbied the White House, and spoke as one—this is the result of that shared work. While we are happy with the progress being made, this solution isn’t permanent and we can’t rest on past successes. That is why I will continue the strong push for our federal agenda in Washington DC later this month.”

Next week, Congressmen Darren Soto and Gus Bilirakis will introduce the proposal. The legislation intends to extend increased Medicaid funding for Guam and its temporary federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) to 83% for the next eight years. 

“We have been working collaboratively with our sister territories to make the case for a permanent solution. This is a step in the right direction, and we remain optimistic that congressional leaders recognize the need to improve access to healthcare for our residents most in need. We thank Chairman Pallone, a long-standing friend of Guam, and we will continue to work to ensure this deal becomes law,” added Lt. Governor Tenorio. 

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