MMAPA letter underscores the critical need for a comprehensive, long-term funding solution for Puerto Rico's federal health care programs
March 22, 2021
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, the Medicaid and Medicare Advantage Products Association (MMAPA), a nonprofit organization composed of the leading Medicaid and Medicare Advantage organizations in Puerto Rico, submitted a letter for the record in a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing on "Averting a Crisis: Protecting Access to Health Care in the U.S. Territories."
MMAPA applauds Health Subcommittee Chairwoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA-18) and Ranking Member Brett Guthrie (R-KY-02) for convening a hearing on this urgent, vital topic for Americans in Puerto Rico and appreciates the opportunity to share information from MMAPA about the tremendous need for action by Congress. The hearing comes as Puerto Rico faces a potential 86 percent drop in federal funding for Medicaid if no congressional action is taken by October 1st.
"This hearing was another important opportunity to ensure lawmakers understand the looming health care crisis facing the people of Puerto Rico who, after all, are American citizens and should receive the same treatment as mainland residents," said MMAPA President Roberto García. "We must alleviate the major funding disparities for health care programs in the territories, and the only way to do that is through continued, productive dialogue and action at the federal level. We are encouraged that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have shown willingness to work together on sustainable, long-term solutions that will correct these long-standing inequities."
In addition to lawmakers on the Health Subcommittee, the hearing featured testimony from Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González, who spoke in support of reforming federal funding for Puerto Rico's health care programs. MMAPA commends her for her advocacy and tireless work on this topic and looks forward to a continued partnership to solve these important challenges. Resident Commissioner González's full written testimony may be found here.
The full letter from MMAPA President Roberto García to Chairwoman Anna Eshoo and Ranking Member Guthrie may be found here, and a white paper submitted with the letter on Medicaid in Puerto Rico may be found here.
A full video of the hearing is available here.
###
Commentaires