Previous Story
‘Healthcare a priority for supplemental appropriations’
|
Posted on Oct 24 2017
Healthcare remains a priority for upcoming supplemental appropriations, according to a statement from the Office of the Governor on Monday.
The next supplemental appropriation would be in December 2017, according to press secretary Kevin Bautista, but the exact amount has yet to be confirmed.
Despite that, Bautista said the administration of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres would prioritize healthcare.
“The priority the governor has outlined will be healthcare, so the money would be divided among the hospital, Medicaid…and other things related to the healthcare industry,” he said. “The supplemental budget would address healthcare and education as well as fulfilling other longstanding governmental obligations [among others].”
The statement was released in relation to current talks about at least 21-percent increases in Commonwealth Health Center rates.
The most recent supplemental appropriation—about $20 million—went into paying the five largest land compensation debts the Commonwealth government owes.
Last year, the Torres administration released roughly $41 million in additional appropriations in the form of Public Law 19-75. Some $7 million of that was appropriated to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., which runs CHC, and $2 million was appropriated to the Medical Referral Program.
About $9 million of the funds went to land compensation debts, while $10.2 million was appropriated to the Public School System.
