Thousands rally in Puerto Rico for better healthcare

An effort to rivet Washington’s attention to the fiscal crisis of Puerto Rico will begin in New York at a summit meeting in coming weeks. “New York stands shoulder to shoulder with Puerto Rico in the fight for fairness and economic parity, and the federal government should do the same”.

The two men, both sweating heavily in the blistering sun, marched together for over an hour along the streets of San Juan, separated at times by just Puerto Rican Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla, but barely spoke to each other. The organizers of the event said Puerto Ricans pay the same medicare taxes as states while receiving 40 percent less in reimbursement and about 70 percent less in medicaid.

With Mark-Viverito and a large delegation of New York elected officials seated nearby, Cuomo spoke at length about the close ties between the USA territory and New York state. Mr.de Blasio defended his travel, saying the city is home to 700,000 Puerto Rican New Yorkers are anxious about the debt crisis facing the island.

De Blasio said in a statement that there’s a moral responsibility to help Puerto Rico.

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 USA territory which is in the middle of a fiscal crisis.

Cuomo also says the state will open a Taste New York store that’ll allow San Juan residents to sample state-manufactured products including liquor, beer, and yogurt.

A boost in funding, particularly for health care, could help improve Puerto Rico’s cash flow and prevent a program that provides coverage to the elderly from collapsing, according to the coalition.

After being followed all the way to Puerto Rico by a television reporter seeking an opportunity to ask him questions he deems “off topic,” Mayor Bill de Blasio today defended his media strategy and said there would be “regular opportunities” for journalists to question him.

U.S. Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services has approved an 11 percent cut to Puerto Rico’s Medicare Advantage premiums.

Puerto Rico has recently been beset by financial problems after it defaulted on its $73 billion debt in August.