[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 187 (Thursday, November 21, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H9156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               FUNDING FOR PUERTO RICO'S MEDICAID PROGRAM

  (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. Madam Speaker, today I rise, and 
I am pleased to say that the continuing resolution to keep our 
government open until December 20 extends, once again, the provision of 
the 2018 BBA to provide Puerto Rico a 100 percent Federal Medical 
Assistance Percentage in the Medicaid program.
  However, the time available for an extension is quickly coming to an 
end. Unless Congress acts quickly to adequately fund this vital 
program, Puerto Rico will face a $1 billion shortfall as early as March 
of 2020, putting in grave jeopardy the 1.1 million American citizens in 
my district who rely on this program.
  This insecurity in funding also makes it impossible to negotiate 
long-term provider contracts, and it disrupts the ongoing 
implementation of important transparency and integrity measures.
  Without decisive and long-term funding, the progress into stabilizing 
Puerto Rico's Medicaid program could be reversed as payments to 
providers would once again fall close to 40 percent Medicare fee 
schedule and accelerate provider exodus.
  Puerto Rico will also not be able to pay for lifesaving hepatitis C 
medicines that positively impact the quality of life, while decreasing 
long-term health costs.
  Puerto Rico will also not be able to subsidize dual Medicare B 
premiums and shift those healthcare costs to Medicare, where they 
belong.
  The lack of a solution for Puerto Rico's Medicaid program, such as 
the one proposed by the House, could have a ripple effect on our 
healthcare system.
  I urge my colleagues to act on Medicaid provisions.

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