Another Medicaid Cliff for Puerto Rico?
Rep. Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon (R-PR) wrote a letter to House and Senate Leaders encouraging them to provide additional funding for Medicaid in Puerto Rico, in an effort to stave off an expected Medicaid Cliff in September.
The letter was addressed to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
Medicaid inequity
The letter began by reminding the readers that Puerto Rico has faced inequity in Medicaid funding for many years. “Unlike the States, for which Medicaid spending is open-ended,” she wrote, “Puerto Rico can access federal dollars only up to an annual ceiling.”
Medicaid in the States has no spending cap, and resources automatically increase in response to the needs of recipients. Funding is based on the expenditures of the States on their qualifying population. In Puerto Rico, there is an annual limit, which does not change even under special circumstances such as a natural disaster or pandemic. The spending cap is detailed under Section 1108 of the Social Security Act.
Read more: https://www.puertoricoreport.com/another-medicaid-cliff-for-puerto-rico/#.YOuqmjPPzIU