1 May 2013

Guam hospital plans sweeping fee hike

8:43 pm on 1 May 2013

The only public hospital in Guam is planning an across the board hike in fees of 60 per cent in 2014.

The Marianas Variety reports the hospital board has unanimously approved a proposed budget which factors in the increases, as well as updated re-imbursements from Medicaid, Medicare and the Medically Indigent Program.

The Hospital's Chief Financial Officer, Alan Ulrich, says the hospital's fee schedule has not been updated in over 20 years, despite a significant rise in the cost of running the hospital.

He says the hospital has a 20 million dollar debt that needs repaying.

The proposed budget will now go to the Guam legislature for approval.