8 Sep 2014

CNMI hospital working to cut bills with utilities

5:23 pm on 8 September 2014

The chief executive of the healthcare provider in the Northern Marianas has appealed for understanding regarding hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of unpaid bills.

A judge recently found that the government can be sued for possibly millions of dollars by the state utilities company.

Most of the money owed relates to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation.

The CHC says since it runs a government hospital and is required to provide health care services, utilities should not be disconnected despite the bills issue.

The CEO says they are doing due diligence to reduce consumption, including shutting off power in areas where there is no activity at certain hours of the day.

However she says the high cost of utilities in the CNMI make it difficult to meet its obligations.