Emergency room

So the answer to years of mismanagement at the Commonwealth Health Center is... foreign doctors?

I'm not making this up --even for me that's too bizarre and breathtaking-- the Saipan Tribune says Governor Benigno R. Fitial wants to put CHC "under a state of emergency to allow the hiring of doctors from the Philippines and other countries".

You have to wonder whether he talked to Acting Public Health Secretary Pete Untalan, quoted in the article as saying "the CNMI cannot hire doctors from that country (the Philippines) due to the standards and requirements mandated by the federal government."

"The declaration is being drafted and may be issued this week," the Governor reportedly said. "I am meeting again with the attorney general on this." I'd love to be a fly on that wall.

Another Acting Public Health Secretary John Tagabuel just told the Marianas Variety last week that CHC is in trouble with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. I'm sure they'll love this development.

Two quick questions: why this flailing about when the Administration has had four years to make improvements and, why did the Legislature only start making noise two months before the election?

I've been hearing horror stories from (ex or soon-to-be ex) doctors for more years than I can count.

And how absurd is it?

I've been having a hard time writing about Saipan lately.

It's just that things have gotten so absurd that it isn't funny. Except that it is. I can picture some late-night comedian saying "it's so ridiculous that...."

The Governor proclaims a State of Emergency because the Power Plant may blow up.

The U.S. Congress adds a special 'CNMI only' labor category because the local government says existing rules will Osterize our economy-- and the Governor wants to sue because no other U.S. jurisdiction has to put up with these onerous requirements.

The closed-door meeting to push for his suit has to be postponed because of a power outage.

The public is brought into the discussion when the Governor posts his talking points on You Tube.

My son asks me if it's true that the (new) Public Utility Commission is to blame for our power problems as the Governor claims.

The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation has more liabilities than assets but the Legislature wants to require a minimum bid for privatization.

Questionable hiring practices have plagued CUC, but the Legislature wants to ensure jobs are "protected" during privatization.

There's no money in the budget for retirement contributions but the Retirement Fund is being asked to risk its dwindling reserves investing in CUC.

The government is bloated (also see retirement contributions) but is trying to argue that there just aren't enough local workers to staff private businesses.

CUC keeps promising to train local workers this time if they just get another extension to hire contract workers.

The Northern Marianas College's director for institutional advancement moves over to shaky private Emmanuel College.

That's just off the top of my head. Now, what did I miss?