By CB en Español on June 30, 2021
Pedro Pierluisi, Governor of Puerto Rico (Provided)
Pedro R. Pierluisi spoke with U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone about the Medicaid program.
According to Pierluisi, "Pallone will be in charge of moving through the House of Representatives any legislation that seeks to improve Puerto Rico's access to the Medicaid program."
The chief executive addressed the issue of equal treatment in this important federal health program and outlined strategies to achieve a long-term solution to the Medicaid program's funding structure. The governor also recalled the urgency of seeking a solution before September 30, 2021, when the program's available funding expires.
"I thank Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone for working hand-in-hand with us to achieve the equal treatment that all American citizens living in Puerto Rico deserve. I know that Pallone, like me, is looking for a long-term solution and I am confident that he will be an ally of Puerto Rico during this process," the governor said.
For his part, the leader of the Energy and Commerce Committee thanked the governor "for his commitment to end the constant cycle of facing a fiscal cliff in the Medicaid program. The current situation is unsustainable and deeply unfair to the people living in Puerto Rico and in the U.S. territories who depend on the Medicaid program. I thank the Governor for his cooperation and look forward to working together to ensure that the federal government provides the territories with the Medicaid funding they deserve.
Finally, the executive director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA), Carmen M. Feliciano, said, "We will continue to meet with members of the White House and Congress. During this process we have seen a lot of openness and interest in working on this issue and seeking a solution. I thank President Pallone for his commitment to Puerto Rico and I look forward to continuing to work together.