Puerto Rico Financial Woes Trigger Rally To Urge Washington To Improve Health Care Funds For U.S. Territory

The rally included thousands of island residents -- some of whom were hospital workers wearing scrubs -- and a U.S. delegation featuring legislators, officials and labor and civil rights advocates. The demonstrators hope to focus attention on the U.S. territory's Medicaid reimbursement rates, which are reportedly 70 percent lower than rates on the mainland.

The Associated Press: NY Governor, NYC Mayor Join Puerto Rico Health Care Rally

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio joined thousands of demonstrators Thursday demanding equal treatment for Puerto Rico on federal health care. The demonstrators were protesting Medicaid reimbursements in the U.S. territory that officials say are 70 percent lower than on the U.S. mainland and Medicare reimbursements that are 40 percent lower. (11/5)

NBC News: Thousands Rally In Puerto Rico For U.S. Action On Healthcare Crisis

While U.S. residents may have seen recent headlines about Puerto Rico's financial situation, many may not be aware of the island's deteriorating and frail healthcare system. On Wednesday, thousands of island residents were joined by a U.S. delegation of legislators, healthcare advocates, labor leaders and civil rights activists at a rally to call attention to the worsening situation. (Guzman, 11/5)

Reuters: Thousands Rally In Puerto Rico For Better Healthcare

Tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans, including hospital workers wearing scrubs, rallied in San Juan on Thursday to press Washington to improve healthcare benefits for the indebted U.S. territory which is in the middle of a fiscal crisis. Puerto Rico, saddled with $72 billion in debt and a 45 percent poverty rate, defaulted on part of its debt in August. It receives less federal healthcare support than U.S. states and faces the impending dissipation in 2017 of a federal block grant, which could further squeeze Medicaid services. (Brown, 11/5)

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