By The Star Staff
Puerto Rico’s health system is at risk of becoming unstable starting in 2028, when federal funding allocations for the Medicaid program return to levels prior to the Federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, Financial Oversight and Management Board Executive Director Robert Mujica said Thursday.
“This reduction in funding represents a major risk to the long-term stability of health care financing for nearly half of the population [of Puerto Rico] and, furthermore, could destabilize the health care system in Puerto Rico,” Mujica said.
Mujica noted that between 2023 and 2027 Puerto Rico will receive more than $19 billion in Medicaid funds under the Consolidated Appropriations statute. However, as of September 2027, Medicaid allocations will return to the levels established by law, unless the United States Congress approves legislation extending the validity of the statute, or approves new legislation on the matter.
The oversight board director said his vision for the health system in Puerto Rico is “a simple one” and consists of “each resident receiving the care they need.” However, he acknowledged that achieving that objective is more difficult than merely stating it, and identified financing and a lack of information as major challenges.
“We need information to define the transformation and the necessary actions to be taken,” Mujica said. “On the financing side, the board has approved increases in payments to Medicaid administration organizations, increased access to medical services and increases to health service providers.
The official stressed that those actions represent $35 million invested this year, and over $100 million in the next three years.
He also stated that the oversight board increased the eligibility levels for the Medicaid program in Puerto Rico based on the federal poverty rate.
While he acknowledged that these and other allocations are “important funding efforts,” he added that each year there are areas to which the oversight board “must say no.”
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