21 Mar 2012

CNMI health agency debts reach more than five million

2:57 pm on 21 March 2012

The financially struggling Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation in the Northern Marianas now owes over five million US dollars to its workers and suppliers.

The bulk of the debt - over 2 million dollars - is owed medical supplies companies that support Saipan hospital and the two health centres on Rota and Tinian.

Unpaid power and water bills now account for 1 point 8 million while allocations due to staff are close to 800 thousand dollars.

Nearly half of this is for housing allowances, and hasn't been paid for four months.

Other outstanding amounts due to staff include health and life insurance, retirement plan payments and payments to the credit union.