Puerto Rico lawmakers seek to expand health coverage

Legislators for Puerto Rico's New Progressive Party (PNP) have submitted a proposal to launch a congressional investigation to look into the low penetration of health insurance in the territory, as well as extend access to the government's Mi Salud health coverage to people in the private sector..

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"It is worrisome that there are unprotected citizens today without the resources or access to health insurance," said representative Jackie Rodríguez, as reported by local media outlet Metro. "Healthcare is not a luxury; it is a right, and it is up to the government to facilitate access to it."

In addition, she explained that the resolution orders the legislature's consumer and banking commission to look for solutions to ensure that citizens have access to affordable health coverage. Private sector employees must also be able to purchase a health insurance policy from Puerto Rico's health insurance administration (ASES), in the same way that public employees can.

The representative noted that Puerto Rico has yet to produce a similar expansion in health insurance like US Affordable Care Act.

"With this project we want to cover all of the island's citizens," added Rodríguez. "We need the population to look after their health through preventative care or to receive treatment, without limitations."