CNMI governor disavows knowledge of CHCC's demise.

12:08 pm on 1 February 2018

The CNMI governor has disavowed any prior knowledge on the creation of a bill that intends to abolish the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) and return it to its former status as the Department of Public Health.

The governor of the Northern Marianas, Ralph Torres.

The governor of the Northern Marianas, Ralph Torres. Photo: CNMI Republican Facebook

Governor Ralph Torres said he was not aware of the drafting of the legislation.

He said he has nothing against CHCC chief executive Esther Muña and respects the board's decision on her hospital role.

Torres also assured people that providing quality healthcare for the local community remains a top priority.

The author of the controversial bill, House vice speaker Janet Maratita, said Torres had nothing to do with the measure to revert CHCC back.

The department of public health was plagued by delayed salaries and non-compliance with medicaid and medicare services and CHCC replaced it in November 2011.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs