After spending much of the week in debate on his controversial GovGuam health insurance choice bill, Senator Jose ‘Pedo’ Terlaje withdrew his measure from consideration on Friday.
Bill No. 255-35 would have allowed GovGuam employees to chose from two health insurance plans, instead of the single “most economical and beneficial” plan authorized under current law.
Lawmakers spent most of last week debating the measure. DOA Director Edward Birn, among others, has raised concerns about the cost of returning to a choice of health insurance providers for GovGuam employees.
READ the release from Senator Terlaje in FULL below:
Senator Pedo Terlaje
Fri, Jun 5, 7:07 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Senators Sabotage Bill 255
(Hagatna) Senator Jose “Pedo” Terlaje was forced to withdraw Bill No. 255-35 (COR) on session floor today. The bill was designed to grant 31,000 government employees and their families the right to choose the best healthcare they can afford.
The Senator withdrew the measure after members of the Body attempted to sabotage the bill by bringing the Judiciary of Guam into Committee of the Whole this evening. After four days of deliberation, members called for Chief Justice Phil Carbullido to testify on the floor for unrelated amendments that were neither heard nor related to the bill’s original intent.
“My reason for introducing this bill was simple: to grant those suffering the choice to pick their own doctor, to decide what is best for them and their families,” stated Terlaje, “I’m sorry that other senators did not agree. Today is a sad day for the people of Guam. I thank Speaker Muna Barnes and those who have stood beside me, and pray that the calls of our people will soon be answered.”
Bills:
- Bill No. 241-35 (COR) As amended by the Committee on Heritage and the Arts, Parks, Guam Products, Hagåtña-Revitalization, Self-Determination, and Regional Affairs; and further amended on the Floor. – Kelly Marsh (Taitano), PhD, Jose “Pedo” Terlaje, Tina Rose Muña Barnes, Telena Cruz Nelson, Clynton E. Ridgell AN ACT TO ADD A NEW § 72110 TO CHAPTER 72, TITLE 10, GUAM CODE ANNOTATED, RELATIVE TO CREATING AND IMPLEMENTING A RIP CURRENT AND HIKING SAFETY AWARENESS PROGRAM AND
OUTREACH PLAN. -
Bill No. 214-35 (LS) As substituted and amended on the Floor. – Mary Camacho Torres, Telena Cruz Nelson, Tina Rose Muña Barnes, Régine Biscoe Lee. AN ACT TO ADD A NEW ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 48, TITLE 21 OF THE GUAM CODE ANNOTATED, RELATIVE TO PROVIDING LEASE PROTECTIONS FOR TENANTS WHO ARE VICTIMS OF FAMILY
VIOLENCE, CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR STALKING; AND TO FURTHER CITING THIS ACT AS THE “GUAM SAFE HOUSING ACT OF 2020.”
Nominations:
- The nomination of Robert C. Taitano to serve as a Member of the Civil Service Commission.
- The nomination of Dana A. Gutierrez to serve as a Judge of the Superior Court of Guam.
- The nomination of UM Dreama Asor to serve as a Member of the Department of Parks & Recreation Commission.
- The nomination of Rolando C. Zepeda to serve as a Member (Visual Arts) of the Guam Council on the Arts &
Humanities Agency.
Withdrawn:
1. Bill No. 255-35 (COR) As amended by the Committee on Public Accountability, Human Resources, and the Guam Buildup. – Jose “Pedo” Terlaje, Tina Rose Muña Barnes
AN ACT TO AMEND REPEAL AND REENACT §§ 4301(a) AND §4302(c)(29), BOTH OF ARTICLE 3, CHAPTER 4, TITLE 4, GUAM CODE ANNOTATED, RELATIVE TO ALLOWING CHOICE FOR SUBSCRIBERS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE GOVERNMENT OF GUAM HEALTH INSURANCE CONTRACT. *Bill withdrawn – 6.5.20
Set Aside:
1. Bill No. 71-35 (LS) – James C. Moylan
AN ACT TO AMEND §5101, §5105, §5107, §5109, §5112(a)(3), AND §5114, AND TO ADD §5119, ALL TO CHAPTER 5 OF TITLE 16, GUAM CODE ANNOTATED, RELATIVE TO THE SIZE, WEIGHT, AND LOAD LIMITATIONS, AND RESTRICTIONS OF CERTAIN VEHICLES. *Bill set aside – 6.3.20
