The Island ceases to receive millions of dollars in federal aid annually
- Brenda A. Vázquez Colón, EL VOCERO
- 12/10/2020
Representatives of the commercial and health sector, who will participate in the Parity of Funds forum, sponsored by the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce (PRCC) -an event that will take place on October 15 virtually- reiterated that the health and nutrition of Puerto Ricans continues to be affected by the disparity of federal funds that reach the island, compared to those received by U.S. states, when the treatment should be equal and sensitive to the additional needs that natural disasters and Covid-19 have caused on the island.
Luis E. Pizarro-Otero, CEO of FIDE LLC and chairman of the PRCC Health Committee, said Puerto Rico is excluded from the Medicare Part D subsidy program that covers drugs. According to a federal Health Department report, if the island were eligible for this benefit, it would receive an additional $200 million, which would benefit nearly 400,000 people. He understands that this money would represent better access to health care. "As a territory, what we receive now is a $40 million 'grant' for the Platino program, which is aimed at the poorest and oldest population and which only contributes $10 per patient per month for their pharmacy coverage. In the United States, that contribution is $100," he explained.
The resident commissioner in Washington, Jenniffer González, government officials and representatives of the private sector continually attend Congress to complain about the disparity of funds and demand equal treatment, which they believe is vital to meet the health needs of the population.
"In the payroll we are deducted FICA (Federal Insurance Contribution Act Tax), so we contribute equally to Medicare and we do not receive the same because we are a territory. We already have the funding allocations until 2021, with a cap that does not give us enough to finance the government's health program, but in 2022 we have to ask for them again, we need a permanent solution," added the CEO of FIDE LLC.
The lawyer also emphasized that the island should be on equal footing with people living in the states. The per capita annual cost of a health patient in Puerto Rico is between $3,500 and $3,700, while in the United States the cost is $11,000. "We have the same requirements and the same rules for compliance with federal programs, but we receive a third of the funds. That's why doctors are leaving the island, it's a dollars and cents issue." https://68f659c5075795b732f2a00154c42385.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
Mario Fornés Decheth, vice president of Corporate Affairs and Human Resources of Luis Garratón, Inc. and second vice president of the Board of Directors of the CCPR, added that the lack of funds directly affects pharmacies due to its chain effect.
Pharmacies cannot receive discounts on the medicines they provide if they pay between 15 and 30 days, because the Health Insurance Administration (ASES) pays them after 120 days. Pricing has to do with prompt payment and if they do not have discounts they cannot pass them on to the patient. "The ecosystem is affected, because the lack of additional funds from the Nutritional Assistance Program (PAN) -which ended in September- also affects the sales of products on the shelves of pharmacies that help to mitigate the costs of the prescription," commented Fornés.
THE BREAD
They also exposed as unfair treatment the PAN benefit that 1.5 million Puerto Ricans receive, which is close to half of the population.
The island receives $1.9 billion from a block grant, which for Iván Báez, director of Public and Government Affairs for Walmart Puerto Rico and president of the Retail Association, is not enough. An average family of four receives $300 a month, while the states give them $600. "Puerto Rico has been experiencing disaster after disaster and we are concerned about the impact of the food crisis. The island must receive equality," he said.
According to Baez, the country needs to move to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is a program that adjusts income to the economic reality of the population, and not continue with the PAN, which is a block grant, which means that there is a fixed amount of funds. "This is a food security issue, an issue of will and fairness," he added.