cuts

Monthly premiums have risen by an average of 100% over the past decade — and by more than 1,400% for retired government employees — while patients face higher copays, shrinking benefits and fewer doctors.

Doctors and other providers have stopped accepting the plan due to payment issues and say they are worried about the future of the insurer that covers the health care needs of half a million people in Puerto Rico.

The federal Education Department is eliminating Hispanic-Serving Institutions and minority-focused programs, cutting $20.7 million that eight Puerto Rican universities received this academic year for research, infrastructure, and student support.

With a student body that is 97% Hispanic, Puerto Rico’s public and private universities face significant risk if a federal lawsuit to end grants for Hispanic-Serving Institutions succeeds.