Rep. Soto Introduces Medicaid Parity Bill for Puerto Rico, U.S. Territories

WASHINGTON, July 10 -- Rep. Darren Soto, D-Florida, issued the following news release:

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- Bipartisan legislation increases Medicaid payments and Federal Medical Assistance Percentage

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Today, U.S. Congressman Darren Soto introduced bipartisan legislation to provide equal access to federal resources for Medicaid to American Citizens living in U.S. territories. H.R. 3631, the Territories Health Care Improvement Act, increases the limit on Medicaid payments and the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for the five U.S. territories: Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and Northern Mariana Islands. It also sets stipulations to implement integrity and reporting measures for the programs.

"As we continue our efforts to provide affordable health care for all Americans and work to protect the Affordable Care Act, we must also act on parity of health care between American citizens in the mainland and those in U.S territories," stated Rep. Darren Soto. "Under the current archaic system, unequal access to federal resources puts a strain on the territories' Medicaid programs, especially areas with ongoing health care crises exacerbated by hurricanes. Our plan ensures families have continued access to health care while immediately relieving financial pressures on the territories. Every American Citizen deserves equal access to Medicaid coverage."

The legislation provides a path away from capped federal funds to several years of increased allotments, including $3 billion per year for Puerto Rico's Medicaid program over the next four years. It also implements important program integrity provisions, including a new asset verification system and payment error rate measurements, both already required for state Medicaid programs. All territories will also need to report annually to Congress on the expenditures of increased Medicaid funds.

The Territories Health Care Improvement Act creates a new funding structure increasing the matching rate Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP):

* Puerto Rico: 83 percent for the first two years of additional funds, and 76 percent for the final two years.

* Guam, American Samoa, and CNMI: 100 percent for two years, 83 percent for three years, and 76 percent for one year.

* U.S. Virgin Islands: 100 percent for one year, 83 percent for four years, and 75 percent for one year.

The bipartisan legislation was co-introduced by Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon (R-Puerto Rico), and co-sponsored by: Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), , Michael San Nicolas (D-Guam), Stacey Plaskett (D-U.S. Virgin Islands), Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (I-Islas Marianas), Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa), Jose Serrano (D-NY), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Peter King (R-NY).