The office of Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero has labeled recent funding cuts from the Trump administration as “heartless,” following the loss of over $6 million for the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center (GBHWC). The cuts, announced on March 13, 2024, will severely impact substance abuse and mental health services on the island, prompting the need for local funding to retain nearly 20 GBHWC employees.
According to a statement from the governor’s office, the Trump administration has enacted drastic reductions in federal funding aimed at supporting vulnerable populations. In addition to GBHWC, nonprofit organization Westcare Pacific will lose $1 million, compounding the challenges faced by local agencies delivering critical services. “This is a devastating and heartless reduction in federal funding to help the most vulnerable in Guam,” stated Governor Guerrero.
In response to the financial shortfall, the governor’s administration is exploring local funding options to ensure that essential services continue without interruption. “We must do everything we can to stabilize these critical services that save lives,” Guerrero emphasized. The shift to local funding sources is expected to create a budget shortfall of more than $1 million for GBHWC in the current fiscal year, as the fiscal year 2026 budget did not anticipate these federal cuts.
Guerrero is reaching out to Delegate James Moylan to garner support for Guam’s critical programs and personnel. She is also urging the Legislature to collaborate on a local funding solution. “We are happy to provide this band-aid, but to truly heal this budgetary wound, we need our legislative partners on Guam and in Washington to pitch in,” Guerrero said. She called on Republican Congressional Delegate Moylan and others to communicate the impact of these cuts to the President.
Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio echoed the governor’s concerns, calling the funding cuts “both cruel and needless.” He highlighted that Guam is facing a total funding loss of approximately $6.6 million, which comes at a time when the island has made significant progress in addressing substance abuse and behavioral health issues.
The impact of these cuts extends beyond immediate funding concerns. Carissa Pangelinan, GBHWC Director, along with Deputy Director James Cooper-Nurse, are evaluating how the loss of federal funding will affect staff and the agency’s capacity to meet service demands. The situation underscores the urgent need for a reliable funding mechanism to support mental health and substance abuse services in Guam.
As the island navigates these funding challenges, the future of critical health services remains uncertain, leaving many residents dependent on the outcomes of local and federal advocacy efforts.
