He also called for an urgent meeting with all the presidents of the Health Professional Associations and related entities, as well as with the Secretary of Health, Carlos Mellado, and the Secretary of the Government, Noelia García.
"We repudiate the actions of the Fiscal Control Board and its director, Natalie Jaresko, in lobbying against U.S. President Joe Biden's proposal to grant Puerto Rico equal treatment in the Medicaid Program. This program provides federal funds to benefit 1.3 vulnerable people affiliated with the Government Health Plan, known as Plan Vital," said Piñero.
"There is not a single reason for this negative stance against Puerto Ricans by Ms. Jaresko. On the contrary, we all win here, especially the patients. To give you an idea, a person who has a salary of approximately $2,000 a month could obtain the Vital Plan. This would allow people who are in the "gap", that is, people who do not qualify now for the Medicaid program and cannot afford a private medical plan. This would enroll over 400,000 people, including 70 percent of the 300,000 municipal employees. In addition, it could increase services to patients who are not currently covered by the Health Reform, such as hospices," he added.
He also sent a letter to the president of the JCF to ask for an audience to call Jaresko to chapter.
"The proposal is historic and we all benefit from it. We cannot allow the public health of the country to be affected by the interests of a few," he said.
CASS is a non-profit organization that brings together by law 800 Hospital Administrators, Primary Health Centers, Diagnostic and Treatment Centers, Dialysis Centers, among others.