PEI LAPALAP, POHNPEI — August 28, 2026
The Pohnpei State Government is issuing this statement to inform the public about the recent emergency medical evacuation of Hon. Senator Sonster Edgar to St. Luke’s Medical Center in the Philippines, the circumstances surrounding the medical referral, and related use of public funds.
Pohnpei has an established medical referral process for covered patients requiring treatment at an off-island health care facility. The process is intended to provide an impartial system for determining when off-island treatment is medically necessary and appropriate, and it sets out the required steps for reviewing and approving an off-island medical referral.
Under the process, the referring physician presents the patient’s case to the State’s Medical Referral Committee for evaluation. If the Committee approves the referral, it is submitted through the State Hospital Director with the required medical information and undergoes the required medical, utilization, and financial reviews before the Administrator acts on the referral and an appropriate off-island health care facility is selected.
Based on information currently available to the Administration, questions have arisen regarding whether the established referral process was followed in this matter.
On August 19, during the 29th Special Session, Day 34, of the 11th Pohnpei Legislature, a floor amendment was introduced to appropriate $171,000 from the Health Care Premium Fund for “Emergency Medical Referrals.”
On August 20, 2026, the Legislature adopted Legislative Bill No. 478-26 which included the $171,000 appropriation. The Governor’s Office received L.B. No. 478-26 on August 21, 2026. Before the Governor’s Office could fully review the circumstances, consult with the appropriate executive agencies, and undertake the constitutionally required executive process to review the bill and establish the Executive Branch’s position, the emergency medical evacuation took place.
The Pohnpei State Constitution provides the process a bill must follow before becoming law. A bill must pass two readings on separate days, with passage on second reading requiring the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Legislature. Once a bill has passed the Legislature, it must be certified by the presiding officer and the Clerk and presented to the Governor for consideration. If the Governor approves the bill, the Governor signs it and it becomes law. If the Governor does not approve the bill, the Governor may return it to the Legislature with objections, subject to the constitutional provisions regarding appropriations. A bill that is neither signed nor returned within the applicable constitutional period becomes law as if the Governor had signed it. Although the Constitution provides circumstances under which a bill may become law without the Governor’s signature, L.B. No. 478-26 has not become law.
The $171,000 has not been disbursed. No financial commitments should be made based on an appropriation that has not become law.
The Department of Health and Social Services provided ground support, including state ambulance services and personnel, to transfer the patient and his attendant to the airport for the aircraft arriving from the Philippines, but did not charter the private air ambulance.
The circumstances surrounding the emergency medical evacuation, including the medical referral, coordination among state officials and legislative leaders, legislative action, and related financial matters, are being reviewed.
The Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor understands and acknowledges the concerns raised by members of the public regarding this matter and remains fully committed to restoring and maintaining public confidence in the People’s Government.
The Administration will ensure that any appropriate legal and administrative actions are taken based on the findings of the ongoing review. Further information and developments regarding this matter will be provided to the public as appropriate in the coming days.
