Guam’s Medicaid program was honored at the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) Conference in Washington, D.C., November 19th – 21st, receiving the prestigious Spotlight Award for exceptional leadership and innovation in Medicaid administration. NAMD is a national organization that represents state and territorial Medicaid leaders and provides a forum for collaboration, best practices, and advocacy to improve health care for millions of Americans. This recognition underscores Guam’s commitment to delivering value through improved member experiences and the efficient use of taxpayer resources. The 2025 award specifically highlighted Guam’s groundbreaking initiatives that enhanced service delivery and set a benchmark for excellence in Medicaid programs nationwide. Receiving this honor at the NAMD Conference further amplified Guam’s role as a leader in driving meaningful change and ensuring better health outcomes for its community.

Also at the conference, Guam’s Medicaid Director, Theresa Arriola, joined a distinguished panel alongside West Virginia Commissioner Cindy Beane and Ed Dolly, Deputy Director of the Data and Systems Group with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and discussed maximizing the value of IT system investments through leverage and reuse. The session highlighted how states and territories, including Guam and West Virginia, are collaborating to reuse proven technology solutions, accelerate modernization, and reduce costs. Panelists shared lessons learned from cross-state and territory partnerships, strategies for navigating procurement and legislative buy-in, and the importance of federal support from CMS. The discussion emphasized the operational realities, governance structures, and key considerations for successful leverage and reuse, showcasing how innovative collaboration can drive efficiency and improve outcomes across Medicaid programs.