Para crear la “Ley Para Incentivar a los Profesionales de Salud en Puerto Rico”; establecer definiciones; exenciones; adoptar reglamentación; y para otros fines.

2025-2028 Session

Creates a formal incentive program to attract and retain health professionals in Puerto Rico, defining eligibility, exemptions, and a regulatory framework.

Comisión no recomienda aprobación de la medida

Summary of Bill PS 116

Overview

Bill PS 116, titled “Para crear la ‘Ley Para Incentivar a los Profesionales de Salud en Puerto Rico’; establecer definiciones; exenciones; adoptar reglamentación; y para otros fines,” appears to aim at creating a framework to incentivize health professionals in Puerto Rico. The bill would also establish definitions, exemptions, and a mechanism to adopt regulations, along with other purposes. The exact incentive mechanisms and program design are not provided in the available information.

What the bill would do (provisions inferred from the title)

Create a formal incentive framework to attract and/or retain health professionals in Puerto Rico.

Establish key definitions related to health professionals and incentives to guide eligibility and implementation.

Specify exemptions related to the program (the precise exemptions are not detailed in the provided information).

Require or authorize the adoption of regulations to implement the incentives (regulatory guidance, administration, and oversight would be developed through rulemaking).

Include “other purposes” to address related policy or administrative needs associated with the incentive program.

Affected parties

Health professionals in Puerto Rico (physicians, nurses, allied health workers, and other licensed practitioners likely covered by the definitions).

Government agencies or regulatory bodies responsible for health care and professional licensure, budgeting, and rulemaking.

Employers and educational or training institutions that participate in or support health workforce incentives.

Legislative status and timeline

Introduced: January 2, 2025.

First Reading: January 16, 2025 (Senate).

Referral: January 16, 2025 (to Senate committees).

Committee action: June 23, 2025 — the committee did not recommend approval of the measure.

Current status: The bill has not received a committee recommendation for passage, indicating a significant hurdle to advancing in the legislative process unless revived or amended.

Potential impact and considerations

If enacted, the bill could establish a formal program to improve recruitment and retention of health professionals, potentially affecting workforce supply, distribution, and service delivery in Puerto Rico.

The regulatory framework would define eligibility, funding sources, exemptions, reporting, and oversight responsibilities.

Policy and budget implications would depend on the scope of incentives (financial, tax, loan forgiveness, educational support, licensing waivers, etc.) and funding levels included in the eventual regulations and implementing legislation.

Given the current committee stance, any passage would require amendments or renewed consideration to move forward.

Next steps and timeline for readers

Monitor for any new legislative actions or amendments regarding PS 116.

If revived, expect updated bill language detailing the incentive types, eligibility criteria, exemption provisions, funding, and regulatory mechanics.