U.S. President Joe Biden included in his budget proposal sent to Congress that Puerto Rico should have parity in the Medicaid program.
He also used language that would direct the federal government to pave the way for our country to have equal access to the states in the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and food assistance programs.
Celebra Pierluisi
Following the news, Governor Pedro Pierluisi described the act as "a great achievement" for the Puerto Rican archipelago and reiterated that "there is a real commitment from the federal government to provide fair treatment" for Puerto Rico in federal programs.
"Today, President Joe Biden kept his word by including in his budget proposal equal treatment for Puerto Rico in the federal Medicaid program, which finances Puerto Rico's government health care program. I have no doubt that the U.S. Congress will do the same and the discrimination we have suffered in the past under the most important health program for American citizens will end," said the chief executive of the country in written statements to the press.
Pierluisi also expressed confidence that, if approved by the U.S. Congress, the Oversight Board "will come to its senses and eliminate a whole series of unnecessary cuts in Puerto Rico's government programs that are used to provide essential services to our people.