[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 26 (Thursday, February 16, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H818]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1230
       INTRODUCTION OF SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME EQUALITY ACT

  (Mr. PIERLUISI asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, as a territory, Puerto Rico has always 
been treated unequally under Federal health programs. While the 
Affordable Care Act improved the island's treatment under Medicaid, a 
number of key inequalities remain under both Medicaid and Medicare.
  Today, I am reintroducing legislation to eliminate a provision in 
Federal law that requires Medicare to reimburse Puerto Rico hospitals 
far less than Stateside hospitals.
  Under the current system, Puerto Rico hospitals are paid a base rate 
that is about 13 percent lower than the base rate for hospitals in the 
States. Thus, an island hospital will receive substantially less than 
any urban, suburban, or rural hospital in the States for providing the 
same inpatient services, making it harder for island hospitals to 
deliver high-quality care and to remain financially sound.
  This is another example of how the people of Puerto Rico are placed 
at a clear disadvantage in the race of life because of the island's 
territory status. I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will 
support my bill.

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