Guam Memorial Hospital gets fresh subsidy for facility upgrades

By Pacific Island Times News Staff 

Guam Memorial Hospital will receive another boost through a new appropriation law that infuses $19.7 million for capital improvement projects and medical supplies.

Bill 187-38, now Public Law 38-80, will draw from bond refunding savings that were not factored into the fiscal 2026 budget. The savings result from the government refinancing at a much lower interest rate.

“Each month, as a result of the savings from the refinancing of the bonds, funds will become available for the use of GMH.” Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said in a transmittal letter to the 38th Guam Legislature.

Public Law 38-80 funds the Z-wing demolition and retrofitting, the maternal child health ward renovation and the acquisition of new chillers, fire alarm systems, an Angiography Suite and new ventilators.

The measure also authorizes GMH to use the funds for information technology and a medical transport vehicle to enhance patient logistics.

“It is critical that these funds are used as efficiently and effectively as possible. I agree with the decision that every dollar is directed toward a specific capital improvement project or the procurement of life-saving supplies,” Leon Gyuerrero said.

The new law mandates GMH to submit quarterly reports to facilitate legislative and public scrutiny of its spending, thus ensuring transparency and accountability. 

In September, GMH received a $40 million supplemental appropriation to fund the hospital’s electrical system as well as its operational costs and supplies.

“For the first time in a long time, we are starting to see progress,” said Sen. Sabrina Salas Matanane, the bill’s author and health committee chair.

“We’ve broken ground on multiple projects, seen our community volunteer to

 help spruce up the hospital, and begun to turn plans into action. Not everything

is complete, but we are on track—and there is real hope,” she added.

Matanane said the bill was a product of collaboration between the legislature and GMH.

“This has been a true partnership,” she said. “This funding builds on the momentum we’re seeing, and there is more progress ahead.”

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