This problem is exacerbated by the fact that Puerto Rico is not given full parity with other states in Medicaid and Medicare funding. Puerto Rico receives a block grant equal to only a fraction of Medicaid funding received by states. In addition, the federal government only pays 50 percent of Medicare reimbursements to hospitals in Puerto Rico. A congressional proposal that would have increased the federal amount to 75 percent was left out of Medicare legislation recently passed by the 106th Congress. Facts About Health in Puerto Rico Hospitals in Puerto Rico incur additional costs due to inflation on the Island, which is more than double that of the United States mainland.
Hospitals have higher costs for overall facility management and taxes.
Puerto Rico receives slightly over half of the amount of State CHIP funds that it would receive if it were a state. In Puerto Rico Eliminate the funding cap on Puerto Rico as it relates to the Medicaid appropriation. Ensure that Puerto Rico is equitably included in all national health care programs.