I am willing, as the Representative of Puerto Rico, to work across the aisle to reach a long-term solution for the territories.
We are losing providers, we are losing doctors.
If we fail to act with the expediency that the situation requires, the provision of health care in all territories will be severely affected...
And I commend Mr. Soto for always being an original co-sponsor of all those bills.
there is no real Medicaid financial help cleared for Puerto Rico. This is the PROMESA Board saying a few weeks ago.
the territories do not receive any DSH money. And that will help our hospital.
This underfunding contributes to larger systemic problems, including lower provider reimbursement rates and provider shortages.
I trust that today's testimonies will help my colleagues understand the urgent need for action.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I really appreciate this hearing taking place.
For my island, the Medicaid cap set by statute for Fiscal Year 2020 will be approximately $375 million.
I have introduced H.R. 2306, the Puerto Rico Medicaid Act, which seeks to strengthen the Medicaid program on the island.
We would like to remove the cap altogether, and we would like territories to be treated as states.
You get the gold star for today. Very impressive.
It is time to end this injustice.
I am also an original co-sponsor of H.R. 1354, the Territories Health Equity Act, legislation introduced by Congresswoman Plaskett.
So, more than half a million American citizens living in Puerto Rico, they are not covered by Medicaid full programs as they were in the sta...
And I think that is finally common sense.
