MMAPA Announces New Board Leadership and Sets Advocacy Prioritiesfor FY2025-2026
- Press Release
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
(San Juan – September 04, 2025) – The Medicaid and Medicare Advantage Products Association of Puerto Rico (MMAPA) has elected its new Board of Directors, who will serve through July 2026, and outlined a robust agenda to address critical healthcare funding challenges. At the top of the organization’s priorities is securing a fair and adequate allocation of Medicaid funds for the Island and pursuing adjustments that ensure equitable compensation under the Medicare Advantage (MA) program.
“MMAPA has been instrumental in supporting the Government of Puerto Rico’s efforts to achieve fair treatment in the allocation of funds for both Medicaid and Medicare Advantage. Public–private collaboration continues to be our most effective strategy, and this year will be no exception. We will strengthen and expand alliances with local and national organizations to amplify our voice, and we will launch an educational initiative for providers and beneficiaries to shed light on the impact of funding disparities. Our ultimate goal is to deliver greater access and better service to Puerto Ricans,” said Ricardo A. Rivera Cardona, President of MMM Holdings, who was re-elected as MMAPA Board President through 2026.
This year, MMAPA formalized a collaboration agreement with the Better Medicare Alliance, a coalition of hundreds of organizations and healthcare providers nationwide. The partnership will bolster MMAPA’s advocacy efforts and provide technical assistance on Medicare policy issues. Locally, MMAPA will also help establish the Community Health Alliance to broaden outreach and strengthen the Island’s collective voice. On the Medicaid front, Rivera Cardona noted that the association will continue to provide technical expertise to the Puerto Rico government as it prepares for formal federal negotiations on the next funding cycle, set to expire in 2027.
MMAPA Board of Directors Fiscal Year 2025–2026
At the Board meeting held in August, Ricardo A. Rivera Cardona, President of MMM
Holdings in Puerto Rico, was ratified for a second consecutive year as MMAPA President. Luis Torres, President of Humana Puerto Rico, will serve as Secretary; Juan Domínguez, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at First Medical, will continue as Treasurer; and serving as Board Members will be Ricardo Hernández from Sistema de Salud Menonita; Carlos L. Rodríguez. Esq., Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Chief Legal Officer at Triple-S; and Carlos de Jesús, Senior Vice President of Product Development at MCS.
Key Medicaid & Medicare Facts for Puerto Rico
41.7% of Puerto Rico’s population lives below the federal poverty level.
Medicaid serves 1.1 million low-income beneficiaries through the Plan Vital program.
Eligibility threshold: 100% of the federal poverty level in Puerto Rico vs. 150% in the U.S.
states.
Puerto Rico has the highest MA penetration rate in the U.S. – 94% of eligible seniors (661,000 people), with 300,000 also on Medicaid.
Puerto Rico’s MA plans consistently earn 4+ Star Ratings from CMS.
Residents pay the same Medicare payroll tax as U.S. mainland residents.
Puerto Rico’s seniors lose out on an estimated $2,840 per month in benefits due to program exclusions:
o No Low-Income Subsidy (Part D prescription assistance)
o No Medicare Savings Program (premium assistance)
o No Long-Term Services & Supports (home/long-term care)
o No Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
o Reduced benefits under the Nutritional Assistance Program (NAP)