SAIPAN — The CNMI House of Representatives voted 19-0 to pass House Bill 24-75 on first and final reading to authorize continued payment of employer premiums for the Group Health and Life Insurance program for retirees by appropriating $3,747,585 “recently identified by the Governor” for FY 2026.
During discussion, Representative Blas Jonathan “BJ” Attao said the bill would remit $2,800,688.75 to Group Health and Life Insurance “for our retirees so that they will continue their insurance benefits,” and remit $936,896.25 to CNMI Public Schools System to address the “25%” portion from collections. Attao said the collections were tied to FY 2025 and referenced a 60-day window under accounting procedures to apply the funds, adding that the measure would allow the Secretary of Finance to allocate the funds directly to the two entities. He said the bill would help relieve stress for retirees who received a letter from the Settlement Fund and said the funding would at least address “2,000 plus retirees” and beneficiaries in the Group Health and Life Insurance program. Attao also said the House and Senate worked together on the bill and urged quick Senate action so the measure can be transmitted to the governor for signature.
