In Senate hearing, Díaz insists Ramos is unfit to become health secretary

Senate Health Committee Chairman Juan Oscar Morales Rodríguez

By The Star Staff

Physicians and Surgeons Association (CMCPR by its initials in Spanish) President Carlos Díaz Vélez testified before the Senate Committee of the Whole on Thursday regarding the appointment of Víctor Ramos Otero as secretary of health.

During his testimony, Díaz reiterated that Ramos, a former president of the CMCPR, is unfit to lead the island Health Department. Díaz denounced several alleged irregularities associated with Ramos’ tenure at the CMCPR, including a predatory loan exceeding $125,000, the collection of funds for a failed health plan, and the mismanagement of a federal program aimed at combating COVID-19. Those actions, he said, resulted in a loss of funds for the institution, triggered federal investigations, and led to a loss of accreditation. The CMCPR is considering legal action against Ramos under the Anti-Organized Crime and Money Laundering Act (RICO ACT) for losses caused to the Association, he said.

Ramos has denied the accusations.

“The Physicians Association is well-acquainted with Dr. Víctor Ramos Otero’s performance during his eight years as our institution’s chief executive and possesses relevant information and documentation that should inform the senators’ evaluation of whether it is in the best interest of Puerto Ricans and the health system to appoint him as secretary of health,” Díaz said.

During the committee’s evaluation of Ramos’ appointment, Díaz revealed that designated secretary of State Verónica Ferraiuoli Hornedo advised Ramos on the “content and form of the promissory note” related to the predatory loan he obtained, failing to inform the CMCPR while she was in her position.

He highlighted that Ramos Otero, as member of the CMCPR governing board, took out a $125,000 loan Díaz described as “usurious” from an alleged loan shark named Carlos Rodríguez Rivera to pay the payroll for a failed medical plan he attempted to create, called Golden Cross Health Plan Corp. The audit of the loan, which revealed those findings, was commissioned by Díaz himself, according to his testimony.

“Recently, Dr. Ramos Otero indicated that Carlos Cardona, the Association’s attorney, advised him on the loan,” Díaz said. “However, from the documents I have reviewed, it appears that Verónica Ferraiuoli was the one who advised him on the content and form of the promissory note.”

He further stated that “Dr. Víctor Ramos Otero, who served as the president of the Physicians Association for eight years, has a documented history of administrative actions that lack regulation, transparency and legality. This should compel any prudent individual to exercise caution when considering his confirmation as secretary of health.”