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Camacho Discusses Guam Buildup with U.S. Health Secretary |
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HHS presents inventory of priority issues related to move of U.S. Marines to Guam
July 14, 2008
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Governor Felix P. Camacho today met with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael O. Leavitt to discuss the progress of the Guam Buildup and to seek increased federal attention to the planned U.S. Department of Defense-led program.
The 45-minute discussion focused on the public health program assistance currently being provided to Guam by HHS and the expansion of related programs to meet the needs of the growing civilian and military communities.
Leavitt told Governor Camacho there is an immediate need for senior HHS officials and other executive branch agencies to visit Guam to better understand concerns about the military buildup from all island stakeholders.
"Secretary Leavitt agrees there must be more interaction with senior federal officials," said Governor Camacho. "This dialogue will lead to policy decisions to help the people of Guam in our nation's Capitol."
Secretary Leavitt presented Governor Camacho an inventory of priority issues raised by the Civilian Military Task Force with HHS options and related funding opportunities to address them. The inventory was generated through the efforts of the Interagency Group on Insular Areas Working Group Health and Human Service Sub-Committee over the past year. The priorities focused on strengthening workforce capacity, increasing funding for infrastructure and services and addressing licensing and certification.
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