MMAPA Applauds House Natural Resources Committee Hearing On The Medicaid Cliff
Impending Medicaid Cliff Underscores That Congress Must Immediately Approve A Comprehensive Funding Solution For Health Care Programs In Puerto RIco
May 23, 2019
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Medicaid and Medicare Advantage Products Association of Puerto Rico (MMAPA), a non-profit organization composed of the leading Medicaid and Medicare Advantage organizations in Puerto Rico, applauds the House Natural Resources Committee for holding a hearing entitled "The Insular Areas Medicaid Cliff," which will examine the looming funding crisis that will hit the island on September 30 unless Congress intervenes. The hearing also calls much needed attention to the immediate need for a comprehensive, long-term funding solution for health care programs in Puerto Rico.
"The upcoming Medicaid Cliff is the latest example of the long-standing federal funding inequities for critical programs like Medicare Advantage and Medicaid in Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories," said MMAPA President Jim O'Drobinak. "We are encouraged by the committee's willingness to hear experts on the topic and work together to find a suitable path forward that improves access to quality care for all people on the island. We hope this hearing is the first step to producing a comprehensive solution to address drastic federal health care underfunding in Puerto Rico."
Federal funding for Medicare Advantage in Puerto Rico is 43 percent below the U.S. average and has declined by $5 billion since 2011. Similarly, federal funding for Medicaid in Puerto Rico is more than 70 percent below the national average.
About MMAPA
The Medicaid and Medicare Advantage Products Association of Puerto Rico (MMAPA) is a non-profit organization composed of the leading Medicaid and Medicare Advantage organizations in Puerto Rico. Founded in 2009, MMAPA is dedicated to promoting policy solutions to solve Puerto Rico's health care challenges. Follow MMAPA on Twitter at @mmapapr or visit our website, mmapapr.org.
Media Contact:
Meghan Pennington
Hamilton Place Strategies
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