Taking Action
Why we need to advocate
Poverty levels are extremely high
Nearly 50% of Puerto Ricans live below the federal poverty levels. 1.6 million benefit from MEDICAID, with 295,000 aged over 65 also using Medicare Advantage (Dual eligibles or Medicare Platino Program). Despite this need, Puerto Rico receives more than 50% less funding for Medicaid and 90% less for Medicare Plan B than the mainland U.S. This disparity affects service access, beneficiaries’ Social Security income, and provider compensation.
Human Impact
Financial disparities lead to denied or delayed treatments, increase financial stress, limit access to vital medications, and increase migration of our healthcare professionals to the US. All these factors has a direct and detrimental impact on the health of beneficiaries.
Moral Duty
All U.S. citizens, including Puerto Ricans, deserve equal healthcare access. Ensuring healthcare equality in Puerto Rico upholds core U.S. principles of justice, equality, and the pursuit of a better life for all. Denying it affects Puerto Ricans' access to the same rights and values despite their contribution as US citizens through payroll taxes, millionaire product imports and exports, human capital, among others.
US Government has the solutions at hand
To close the economic gap in Medicare Advantage in Puerto Rico, we propose: Increasing rates (premium benchmark) payments to at least USVI levels to infuse approximately $1.5 billion extra funds; Implementing the Medicare Savings Program in Puerto Rico to alleviate financial burden on the elderly; Including Puerto Rico in the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy to aid approximately 400,000 citizens with prescription drugs expenses.
