December 2019
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According to The Hill, “approximately 1.4 million low-income [residents of Puerto Rico] depend on Medicaid, making Puerto Rico the largest payer for mental health services in the United States. Medicaid covers inpatient and outpatient mental health services, counseling, case management, supportive housing, and prescription medications. A key part of the problem is that Puerto Rico receives only a fixed block grant of funding for Medicaid each year that is grossly inadequate to cover the cost of healthcare for its enrollees. Last month, Republican and Democratic members of Congress unveiled a massive budget deal, which included $12 billion in Medicaid for Puerto Rico over four years — enough to cover the Island’s expenses. But in a devastating blow, President Trump intervened and reportedly demanded it is slashed to $5.7 billion over two years.”
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January 2020
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According to The Hill, “pressured by Democratic leaders last week, the Trump administration declared that “a major disaster exists” in Puerto Rico, and finally approved the $8.2 billion already owed in aid, plus an additional $8.3 billion funding notice. On Monday, Senator Chuck Schumer also rightly called for Health and Human Services to release millions more in aid specifically for mental health providers and outpatient services.” See announcement on the U.S. The Department of Housing and Urban Development website.
According to The Hill, “New York City First Lady Chirlane McCray announced the City is sending nine mental health experts to Puerto Rico to provide crisis counseling, emotional support, connections to mental health services, and help with coping with stressful events. This is in addition to the staff already on the ground, which includes health professionals, building inspectors, engineers, and emergency managers to support the cities with the worst damage. [New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo] also pledged to send extra mental health experts to Puerto Rico as part of the State’s emergency response.”
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