July 16, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 119 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H5834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HEALTHCARE PARITY FOR TERRITORY RESIDENTS

  (Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in full 
support of the Territories Healthcare Act, which is scheduled to be 
considered in full committee markup tomorrow.
  This bill addresses the multiple disparities of the Medicaid program 
in all U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico.
  Medicaid on the island has a funding cap and a limitation of 55 
percent of the Federal Medical Assistance Percentages, impacting the 
island's ability to furnish healthcare costs and services for close to 
1.4 million people in Puerto Rico.
  This bill will address these issues, increasing the cap and adjusting 
the FMAP for 4 years. If we do not address this issue, we are 
challenging medical access and services to approximately 1.4 million of 
my people.
  Current social and political problems should not eliminate our 
understanding of what the people need and our responsibility toward 
them.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to continue their support and 
advocacy for healthcare parity for territory residents.

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