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PC 647

Para establecer la “Ley para Fortalecer el Fondo para Servicios contra Enfermedades Catastróficas Remediables”; enmendar el Artículo 18 de la Ley Núm. 150-1996, según enmendada, mejor conocida como la “Ley del Derecho a la Salud en Puerto Rico”; enmendar el inciso (b) del Artículo 11 de la Ley Núm. 465 de 15 de mayo de 1947, según enmendada; enmendar el inciso (8) y añadir un nuevo inciso (9) al Artículo 3.15 de la Ley Núm. 81-2019, según enmendada, mejor conocida como la “Ley de la Comisión de Juegos de Puerto Rico; a los fines de”, a los fines de dotar al Fondo para Servicios contra Enfermedades Catastróficas Remediables de mayores recursos económicos para cumplir con sus responsabilidades en ley, ayudar a un segmento de la población que de otra manera se vería desprovista de medios para atender sus necesidades de salud y establecer un mecanismo para que cada dos (2) años se evalúe la necesidad de revisar la fórmula dispuesta en ley de como nutrir de recursos al Fondo de manera recurrente y para otros fines.

2025-2028 Session

Strengthens the Fund for Services against Remediable Catastrophic Diseases by boosting resources and adding a biannual funding review to ensure stable, recurring support.

Referido a Comisión(es)
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Bill Summary · PC 647

Summary: Bill PC 647

Overview

PC 647 proposes to strengthen and expand the resources of the Fondo para Servicios contra Enfermedades Catastróficas Remediables (the Fund for Services against Remediable Catastrophic Diseases) and to establish a biannual review mechanism of the funding formula. The bill is designed to improve support for health services related to catastrophic diseases and to ensure a recurring, reliable stream of resources for the Fund. It also contemplates amendments to several existing laws to align with these goals and to broaden the Fund’s financial backing.

Purpose and Intent

  • Increase and secure economic resources for the Fondo para Servicios contra Enfermedades Catastróficas Remediables.
  • Assist a segment of the population that would otherwise lack means to meet health needs related to catastrophic diseases.
  • Create a mechanism to evaluate every two years whether the funding formula for the Fund should be revised to ensure recurrent resources.
  • Achieve these purposes through targeted amendments to existing Puerto Rico health and gaming-related statutes.

Key Provisions (proposed amendments)

The bill would amend and adjust several laws to support funding for the Fund:
- Law 150-1996, Article 18 (Health Rights Law): Amendments aimed at strengthening the Fund’s resources and the manner in which health rights-related provisions support the Fund.
- Law 465 (May 15, 1947), Article 11, subsection (b): Amendment to align health-related provisions with increased funding for the Fund.
- Law 81-2019 (as amended), Article 3.15:
- Amend subsection (8)
- Add a new subsection (9)
- These changes are within the framework of the Puerto Rico Gaming Commission Law and are intended to facilitate greater resources flowing to the Fund, consistent with the bill’s objectives.

Note: The exact textual changes are not provided here; the description indicates adjustments to funding mechanisms and obligations across these laws to bolster the Fund.

Affected Parties and Scope

  • Primary Beneficiaries: Individuals in Puerto Rico who require services for catastrophic, remediable diseases and would otherwise have limited access to necessary care.
  • Government Entities: Agencies enforcing health rights and regulation, including the bodies connected to the referenced laws (health rights, health services, and gaming commission oversight).
  • General Public: Through potentially more stable funding for health services addressing catastrophic diseases.

Funding and Economic Impact

  • The central goal is to provide the Fund with greater economic resources to fulfill its legal duties.
  • A biannual review mechanism is established to assess whether the funding formula should be revised to sustain recurrent funding.
  • Specific revenue sources, allocation formulas, or fiscal impact details are not provided in the summary; amendments to the cited laws are intended to broaden and stabilize funding streams.

Procedural and Timeline Context

  • Introduced: May 12, 2025
  • First Reading: May 15, 2025
  • Refer to Committee(s): May 15, 2025
  • Status: Referenced to committees for consideration and potential amendments; no enacted text yet

Bottom Line

PC 647 seeks to fortify the Fund for Services against Remediable Catastrophic Diseases by increasing its resources and establishing a regular two-year funding review, while adjusting several related laws to support this financing framework. The bill is currently in committee and would need legislative action to become law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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