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Guam and Virgin Islands Governors Press Equal Health Care Rights for U.S. Territories |
Enhanced FMAP eligibility for U.S. offshore areas not on par with states Sept. 23, 2009 Governor Felix P. Camacho and U.S. Virgin Islands Governor John P. de Jongh Jr. urged U.S. senators Max Baucus and Charles Grassley in a letter Friday to ensure that U.S. offshore areas, including Guam, the CNMI, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, be eligible for the enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for new eligibles. Baucus, chairman for the Committee on Finance in the U.S. Senate, released his chairman’s mark for health care legislation that is now pending before the Senate Finance Committee. His mark provides that coverage of newly eligibles in the U.S. territories would not be subject to the new Medicaid spending caps. However, his mark does not state whether the expanded coverage would be subject to enhanced FMAP on the same basis as the states. Guam’s and the other territories’ FMAP for 2009 is 50 percent, effective through Sept. 30, 2009. While the chairman’s mark would extend the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act increase in the Medicaid cap and increase the territorial FMAP to 55 percent, it would leave the U.S. territories “severely disadvantaged in comparison with their fellow Americans on the mainland,” the letter states. Governors Camacho and de Jongh urged the senators to reduce this disparity by clarifying in the legislation that the extended FMAP for new eligibles also applies to the U.S. territories. They noted that this “would represent a significant step forward in fulfilling [President Barack Obama’s] commitment to provide equal treatment for the territories and to ensure that federal health care benefits are available to all Americans, regardless of where they reside.” Related Reading: http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/59683-puerto-rico-and-territories-left-out-of-healthcare-reform
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Governor Camacho Signs Executive Order to Address Flu |
Vaccine Campaigns for H1N1 and seasonal flu to run on Guam through December September 22, 2009 Governor Felix P. Camacho and Lieutenant Governor Michael W. Cruz, M.D., recently signed Executive Order 2009-014 establishing the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza and Regular Seasonal Flu Vaccine campaigns that will run on Guam from September to December of this year. The campaign, along with other measures included in the executive order, will assist and support the Guam Pandemic Planning Task Force with the upcoming deployment and administration of flu vaccines to combat the H1N1 flu and seasonal flu. The task force was established through executive order to formulate a pandemic plan and work with all sectors of the community to ensure that any potentially affected entity takes the necessary steps to prepare for a pandemic. “It is important that our community remain vigilant and take the necessary steps and precautions when dealing with both the H1N1 flu and seasonal flu,” said Gov. Camacho. “With the spread of the H1N1 virus likely to continue, this executive order is vital in helping ensure that our people will receive the proper vaccinations to protect themselves.” Executive Order 2009-014 directs the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS), as the lead agency, to pursue and undertake measures to meet the planned activities for the vaccination campaigns and prepare for the arrival of the H1N1 vaccines in October. Additionally, the order allows for the hiring of limited term employees to DPHSS and the Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense to directly assist in the finance, operations, planning, and logistical support functions associated with the vaccine campaigns and community mitigation efforts. “Lt. Gov. Cruz and I remain committed to doing everything within our power to assist in the community efforts to raise public awareness regarding the flu,” said Gov. Camacho. “We will continue to support core agencies and health care partners to effectively control the impact of the influenza virus in our community.” |
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A STATEMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR AND LT. GOVERNOR OF GUAM |
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September 17, 2009
Governor Felix P. Camacho issued the following statement regarding the appointment of U.S. Navy Captain Peter Aguon Gumataotao to the rank of Rear Admiral (Lower Half):
“As governor and a dear friend, I want to congratulate Rear Admiral Peter Aguon Gumataotao on this honorable appointment. Peter and I attended Father Duenas Memorial School and graduated together in 1976. I have always known him to be a hard-working, admirable individual who always overcame adversity and cared for everyone he knew. He is a proud son of Guam and a tremendous asset to the Department of Defense. As the first Chamorro flag Officer in the U.S. Navy, he is proof that any Guamanian can achieve leadership roles such as this. On behalf of Lieutenant Governor Michael W. Cruz, M.D and the people of Guam, we wish him the very best as he serves in his new capacity.”
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Media Advisory – 09/16/09 |
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The Department of Administration will hold a press conference tomorrow to present an update on the status of the Government of Guam Position Classification, Compensation and Benefits Study, currently being conducted by the Hay Group.
The event is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Thursday, September 17, 2009 at the Department of Administration Training Room in Hagåtña.
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U.S. Census Bureau Chooses 2010 Census Advisor for Guam ( |
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September 14, 2009
The U.S. Census Bureau, Governor Felix P. Camacho, and the Bureau of Statistics and Plans are pleased to announce that Justin McLaughlin has been chosen to serve as Guam’s 2010 census advisor. McLaughlin, a certification and accreditation manager at the bureau, is on site in Guam and will remain until all 2010 census activities and operations are completed and the local census office is closed.
The 2010 Census includes a count of everyone living in Guam. Census data help direct the allocation of federal funding. Strict laws protect the confidentiality of respondents and the information they provide.
“In the ongoing spirit of partnership between Guam and the U.S. Census Bureau, I know that the 2010 Decennial Census will be an intense but rewarding experience for all involved,” said McLaughlin. “More importantly, the census will help position Guam to anticipate and meet the needs of its people in the coming decade.”
McLaughlin earned his bachelor’s degrees in sociology and political science from Kent State University and a master’s certificate in information technology project management from George Washington University. He began as a survey statistician in the Service Sector Statistics Division of the Census Bureau in 1998 and then moved to the Economic Statistical Methods and Programming Division’s Client Support Branch. In 2006, he spearheaded efforts to centralize and support the bureau’s information system security certification and accreditation.
A press conference and proclamation signing will be held 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2009, at the small conference room of the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor’s Complex.
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9/11 Anniversary Honored With Ceremony and Proclamation |
Governor and Lieutenant Governor Address Guam’s Emergency Responders and Volunteers
Sept. 11, 2009  Governor Felix P. Camacho and Lieutenant Governor Michael W. Cruz, M.D., proclaimed today “A Day of Service and Remembrance” and the month of September as “National Preparedness Month” this morning during a ceremony at Guam Homeland Security and the Office of Civil Defense in Agana Heights. The ceremony, attended by Guam’s emergency responders and volunteers, was opened by Frank Ishizaki, Guam Homeland Security advisor. Lt. Governor Cruz then gave remarks and read the words spoken by past President George W. Bush on the night of Sept. 11, 2001. Lt. Governor Cruz added, “On that tragic day of 9/11, we saw images that will never be forgotten and heard stories that broke our hearts. But on that day we also saw […] heroes emerge from the dust. We saw stranger helping stranger. We saw sacrifice and bravery, strength and compassion.” With the signing of the dual proclamation on the eighth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Gov. Camacho and Lt. Governor Cruz encouraged the community to recognize the significance of committing to service and volunteer efforts on a regular basis and to also make or review their emergency plans, stock emergency supply kits, and stay informed to be prepared in the event of future manmade or natural disasters. Other speakers included Charles Ada, acting administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, and Sen. Frank Blas Jr., past Guam Homeland Security advisor, who presented a legislative resolution. The ceremony ended with a Sept. 11 remembrance video and the sounding of sirens as a tribute to the victims of Sept. 11 and their families, all of the U.S. servicemen and women, emergency responders and volunteers. Guam’s response agencies will spend the month of September engaged in drills and outreach activities to best prepare for emergencies and also to educate residents on how they can be best prepared as well. |
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Governor Signs Bill to Cover DOE’s Budgetary Shortfalls |
Sept. 10, 2009 Governor Felix P. Camacho today signed Bill No. 224-30 (COR), an act to amend Attachment A of P.L. 29-19 for the purpose of allocating bond proceeds to cover budgetary shortfalls for the Department of Education (DOE) for fiscal year 2009. Introduced by Speaker Judith Won Pat, Sen. Ben Pangelinan, and Sen. B.J. Cruz, the bill, now Public Law No. 30-56, states that the Guam DOE is “authorized to expend any remaining balances, including any interest earned … to the following categories: textbooks, personnel services and utilities.” “It’s unfortunate that we had to use funds meant to rehabilitate more than 30 schools that are dire need of repair to keep our schools open,” said Governor Camacho. “I signed this bill with really no other immediate option in sight.” Last week DOE Superintendent Nerissa Bretania Underwood said that the school system could not afford utilities or payroll for the rest of the fiscal year and that the agency would have to shut down if they did not receive $4.7 million by Sept. 11. “I believe the legislature explored every option and found this bill to be the best solution to address DOE’s immediate financial needs,” said Governor Camacho. “DOE’s problems stem from systemic issues that continue to put the department in this kind of scenario. My office will continue to assist them in their budgeting, accounting, and procurement needs, but I also ask the legislature to reexamine DOE’s structure and once and for all find a long-term solution to fix the systemic problems plaguing the department.” The bill was passed by I Mina’ Trenta Na Liheslaturan Guahan on Sept. 8, 2009, and was received at the Governor’s Office at 8 p.m. on Sept. 8. |
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Media Advisory – 09/08/09 |
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Governor Felix P. Camacho will be presenting checks for six different criminal justice initiatives as a part of the recently secured American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds.
The presentation is scheduled for today, Sept. 08, 2009 at 11a.m. in the Large Conference Room, Adelup.
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A Message from the Governor of Guam
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