Bill would shield local aid from the 2027 Social Security increase — a NAPREC perspective
Representative Jerry Nieves Rosario filed House Bill 1511 so that the 3.6 percent Social Security cost-of-living adjustment due in January 2027 does not cause beneficiaries to lose assistance funded entirely by Puerto Rico’s government. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Bill seeks full Medicare drug subsidies for Puerto Rico — a NAPREC perspective
Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández introduced legislation to extend full access to the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy to Puerto Rico and the other territories, with support from Guam Delegate James Moylan and Rep. Darren Soto, El Nuevo Día reported. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Health Secretary: a Medicaid solution is needed before October 2027 — a NAPREC perspective
Health Secretary Víctor Ramos told the Puerto Rico Senate Government Committee that the strategy is to obtain a legislative solution from Congress before October 1, 2027, when federal Medicaid funding would fall from about $4.2 billion a year to about $500 million. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Bipartisan bill targets Puerto Rico’s Medicare Advantage gap — a NAPREC perspective
Representatives Gus Bilirakis, Raul Ruiz and Darren Soto and Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández introduced the Puerto Rico Medicare Advantage Fairness Act, which would set Puerto Rico’s payment adjustment equal to that of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Medicaid advisory board asks for the states’ formula — a NAPREC perspective
The final report of Puerto Rico’s Multisectoral Advisory Board on Medicaid recommends applying the states’ matching formula, which it estimates at about 83 percent, and removing or raising the Section 1108 funding cap. The committee seeks $4.815 billion for fiscal year 2028. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Resident Commissioner takes the Medicaid cliff to hospitals — a NAPREC perspective
At the Hospital Association convention in San Juan, Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández said Puerto Rico’s federal Medicaid match is scheduled to fall from 76 to 55 percent on October 1, 2027, and proposed removing the Section 1108 cap on its federal funding. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
$27 million in federal Head Start funds for Puerto Rico — a NAPREC perspective
Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández announced $27,168,345 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Puerto Rico. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Medicaid fix for Puerto Rico still not found — a NAPREC perspective
House Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie said Republicans have not yet found a way to reauthorize Puerto Rico’s Medicaid funding. Without action, annual federal funding would fall from about $4.2 billion to about $500 million on October 1, 2027. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Stopgap funding keeps Puerto Rico programs running — a NAPREC perspective
Congress approved H.R. 6500, a continuing resolution funding the federal government through December 11, 2026. The Resident Commissioner said it keeps PAN, WIC, Head Start, housing and disaster funds running for Puerto Rico. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Senate seeks more time to review federal workforce and TANF funds — a NAPREC perspective
Senator Carmelo Ríos Santiago filed Senate Resolution 572 to extend the Senate’s investigation into how Puerto Rico administers and oversees federal funds from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Governor responds to 2027 Medicare Advantage payment announcement — a NAPREC perspective
Governor González issued a statement welcoming the announced 2027 Medicare Advantage rates after technical review. The statement presented her administration’s assessment of the payment changes, rather than an independent evaluation of their eventual effects. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
CMS finalizes Puerto Rico adjustments for 2026 Medicare Advantage rates — a NAPREC perspective
CMS finalized Puerto Rico-specific elements of the 2026 Medicare Advantage payment methodology. The announcement addressed cost data and zero-claim adjustments, illustrating how federal payment formulas affect the island’s health system. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Pandemic-relief review identifies lessons from the territories — a NAPREC perspective
GAO examined territorial experiences with federal COVID-19 relief. Officials described technical assistance, flexible spending rules, and upfront funding as important to making programs usable for local needs. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
IRS explains expanded Child Tax Credit access — a NAPREC perspective
The IRS issued guidance explaining how eligible Puerto Rico residents could claim the Child Tax Credit for tax year 2021. The announcement emphasized that families with one qualifying child could qualify under the American Rescue Plan changes. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
GAO disputes the calculation of Puerto Rico’s Medicaid allotment — a NAPREC perspective
GAO concluded that HHS used an unauthorized calculation for Puerto Rico’s fiscal 2022 Medicaid allotment under the statute then in effect. The decision highlighted the uncertainty produced by special territorial funding rules. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Medicaid contracting review recommends risk-based oversight — a NAPREC perspective
GAO recommended that CMS strengthen oversight of Puerto Rico’s Medicaid procurement. Its review found gaps in measures to promote competition and reduce risks of waste, fraud, and abuse in contracting. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Senator highlights territorial nutrition funding in spending law — a NAPREC perspective
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced $614 million in nutrition aid for Puerto Rico and other territories in the recently passed fiscal 2021 package. The announcement focused attention on food insecurity and unequal program structures. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.