Hagåtña, Guam – This week, U.S. Congress’ House and Senate appropriations committees released the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. The legislation most notably includes extensions of Medicaid funding for the territories.
The bill permanently extends the 83% enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for Guam, the Northern Marianas Islands, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands and extends the 76% enhanced FMAP for Puerto Rico for 5 years until September 30, 2027.
Additionally, the bill creates Medicaid Data System Improvement Payments for Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Marianas Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These payments will be equal to 100% of the qualifying data system improvement expenditures incurred on or after October 1, 2023, up to a total cap of $20,000,000 equitably distributed across the four territories.
Last year, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) Director Art San Agustin engaged Congress and requested that legislation extend equitable treatment to territories under the Medicaid program and provide a permanent solution for sufficient funding allotments. Governor Leon Guerrero and DPHSS collaborated with their counterparts in the other U.S. territories.
“This bill will help us provide greater access to health care and critical health services to those in our community most in-need, a hallmark goal of our administration. The increased funding will help us treat more Medicaid recipients and use more innovative approaches to expand Medicaid services,” said Governor Leon Guerrero. “I want to recognize Speaker Pelosi, Congressman Soto, and Congressman Bilirakis who have been strong allies to the territories and have championed our needs for Medicaid in the Capitol.”
Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio stated, “Securing this permanent funding solution provides hope to Medicaid patients that sufficient funding will be available for their health care needs. I want to thank our Department of Public Health and Social Services and our sister territories for working together to collaborate efforts in maintaining a strong dialogue with the U.S. Congress.”
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