Para establecer la política pública sobre el acceso a la salud en Puerto Rico; establecer un Seguro Nacional de Salud con cobertura universal; crear la Corporación del Seguro Nacional de Salud, corporación pública que pondrá en vigor y administrará el Seguro Nacional de Salud; enmendar los Artículos 2(I)(P) y 12(A)(B)(C), de la Ley Núm. 111-2020, conocida como “Ley de Protección Social por Accidentes de Vehículos de Motor”; enmendar el inciso (1), enmendar el inciso (3) y renumerarlo como el nuevo inciso (2), enmendar el inciso (4) y renumerarlo como el nuevo inciso (3) del Artículo 1-B; enmendar los Artículos 1-C (a)(b)(C)(4)(8) y 36 de la Ley Núm. 45 de abril de 1935, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley del Sistema de Compensaciones por Accidentes del Trabajo”; y derogar la Ley Núm. 72 de 7 de septiembre de 1993, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley de la Administración de Seguros de Salud de Puerto Rico”; y para decretar otras disposiciones complementarias.

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico bill creates unified government-administered universal health insurance system, eliminating private insurers and consolidating health, workers' compensation, and auto insurance coverage.

Comisión concurre con informe que rindió Comisión(es)

Legislative bill overview

Bill PS 843 proposes establishing a universal health insurance system in Puerto Rico by creating a National Health Insurance (Seguro Nacional de Salud) administered by a new public corporation. The bill would consolidate health coverage under this single system and repeal the existing 1993 Health Insurance Administration Law, while amending workers' compensation and motor vehicle accident insurance laws to align with the new framework.

Why is this important

This represents a fundamental restructuring of Puerto Rico's healthcare delivery system, potentially affecting coverage for all residents and the insurance industry. The shift from a private/mixed insurance market to a unified public system has major implications for healthcare access, costs, employment in the insurance sector, and government finances—particularly relevant given Puerto Rico's fiscal challenges and existing healthcare disparities.

Potential points of contention

Fiscal sustainability: Puerto Rico's fiscal oversight board and existing debt obligations raise questions about whether the government can fund and operate a universal system without raising taxes or reducing services elsewhere

Private insurance industry displacement: Repealing the 1993 Health Insurance Administration Law eliminates the regulatory framework for private insurers, potentially displacing industry workers and eliminating consumer choice

Implementation complexity: Consolidating multiple insurance schemes (health, workers' comp, auto insurance) into one system presents significant administrative and logistical challenges with undefined transition procedures

Coverage details and benefit scope: The bill does not specify what medical services are covered, cost-sharing mechanisms, or how to handle existing pre-existing conditions and ongoing treatments during transition