'It’s time to come to the table for GMH'

By Sen. Jesse Lujan

The crisis facing Guam Memorial Hospital has been debated in hearings, dissected in reports and litigated in the courts. But no matter how many arguments are made, no matter how many documents are filed, the truth remains the same: GMH is in dire need, and the people of Guam cannot afford delay.

Last week, during a public hearing on legislation sent by the administration to expand emergency health powers, Attorney General Douglas Moylan offered what I believe is the most constructive proposal we have heard to date.

Despite his deep concerns with the administration’s approach to the GMH crisis, the attorney general extended a hand of compromise. He said plainly that the solution he sees is for the governor, the legislature and the attorney general to sit down together in a roundtable meeting, without cameras, without political theater, to get to the heart of how we arrived here and, more importantly, how we move forward.

In his own words: “The insanity of what we’re seeing right now really requires everybody to get off their high horses, (and) to sit in a room and try to figure out our priorities.”

That is the kind of candor our island needs at this moment. For my part, I take the attorney general’s call to heart.

On the record, I asked him directly whether he would participate if I convened such a meeting. He said yes. And so, I am now calling for this meeting to take place on Sept. 16.

The invitation is extended to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the attorney general, and all members of the 38th Guam Legislature.

The stakes could not be higher: over $100 million in federal resources hang in the balance, not to mention the health and lives of every man, woman and child on Guam who relies on hospital care in moments of greatest vulnerability.

This is no time for politics. It is not a time for finger-pointing or defending past decisions. It is a time to lead. The people expect us to rise above our differences and to place their welfare above all else.

My call is simple: let us sit down, face one another, and do the work our people expect of us. We may not agree on every solution, but we cannot afford inaction. The stakes are too high, and the lives of our people are too important.

On Tuesday, I hope every leader answers this call, not for me, not for the attorney general, not for the governor, but for our people of Guam.

Sen. Jesse A. Lujan is the majority leader at the 38th Guam Legislature.

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