A Multisectoral Gathering Marks the Path Toward a Reliable Healthcare System for the Island

The Puerto Rico Health & Insurance Conference 2025 tackled key issues such as Medicare Advantage, federal health policies, multisectoral leadership, occupational health, pharmaceutical trends, and the role of the media—fostering collaborative dialogue for a more reliable healthcare system in Puerto Rico.

San Juan, Puerto Rico, April 4, 2025 – The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce (CCPR) successfully held the Puerto Rico Health & Insurance Conference 2025, titled “High-Reliability Healthcare System for Puerto Rico: The Journey from Here to There,” at the Caribe Hilton Hotel. The event brought together more than 300 leaders from the health, insurance, government, media, and academic sectors to share innovative solutions for strengthening Puerto Rico’s healthcare system.

“This forum allowed us to bring together key voices to seriously and strategically address the challenges that limit access, efficiency, and equity in healthcare. Our goal is clear: to build a more reliable, patient-centered health system,” stated CCPR President, Attorney Luis E. Pizarro Otero, during his opening remarks.

The carefully curated agenda featured panel discussions, keynote presentations, and interactive sessions, highlighting the strategic integration between the public and private sectors:

Key Panels and Guest Speakers:

• “Medicare Advantage 2025” opened the day with a critical conversation on public policy and sustainability in Puerto Rico. Executives from MMM Holdings, MCS, Triple-S, and national organization AHIP participated under the moderation of Dr. José “Joaco” Vargas.

• A panel featuring Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. and Dr. Darwin Hale explored Washington’s role in transforming Puerto Rico’s healthcare system.

• Two consecutive roundtables titled “Leadership Over Politics” addressed solutions from both public and private sectors. Participants included Secretary of Health Dr. Víctor Ramos, senators and legislative representatives, mayors, insurers, and medical associations.

• The luncheon featured remarks from Hon. Pablo José Hernández, Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner in Washington, preceded by a reflection from attorney and strategist Carlos Dalmau.

• Afternoon sessions covered topics such as occupational health (Merck), federal health policies (former Governor Luis G. Fortuño), prescription drug trends, the role of the media, and fiscal data from the Financial Oversight and Management Board. Speakers included Dr. Leonardo Valentín, Cameron McKenzie, Annie Mayol, Joanisabel González, and Stephanie López, among others.

“We brought together decision-makers, executives, technical experts, and media in one space with the goal of generating concrete outcomes. This conference was not just another event—it was a starting point for transformation,” added Pizarro Otero in his closing statement.

The conference also addressed critical topics impacting Puerto Rico’s health and economic systems, including population aging, declining birth rates, energy sector instability, and the need for investment in technological infrastructure in laboratories, primary health centers, and hospitals.

The Puerto Rico Hospital Association emphasized the importance of legislation to achieve health goals, including their priorities to improve patient education and quality of care. Meanwhile, Representative Gabriel Rodríguez Aguiló, Chair of the House Health Committee, advocated for a patient-first approach and the creation of more surgical residency programs.

Carlos Rodríguez, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Legal Director at Triple-S, also highlighted the importance of medical residencies in Puerto Rico and retaining healthcare providers.

“Regarding the ideas presented, there are legislative efforts to increase incentives, but they should be adjusted based on the geographical area where professionals choose to practice. Telemedicine is also essential, as is reciprocity in health licenses across states. The regulatory framework on the type of services physician assistants can provide should be amended, and provider compensation must improve, but we must evaluate how to implement it,” said Rodríguez.

In the panel “Making Companies Healthy Again,” Brian Kehan, Director of Benefits at Merck, emphasized the mission to create new public policies and remove barriers for the benefit of patients.

“Our commitment is to the well-being of patients and their families. Among the cancer prevention recommendations is the creation of data to identify strengths and weaknesses of health plans, along with increasing compliance with medical visits and cancer screenings for high-risk patients.”

Finally, María Cristy, Vice President of Cancer Control and Public Policy at the American Cancer Society, highlighted the new Vital plan coverage, which now includes palliative services from the moment a cancer diagnosis is suspected.

Contactos de Medios:

Karen Garnik, APR – 787-502-2424
karen@globalvisioncomms.com

Isadora Hernández – 787-310-3807
isadora@globalvisioncomms.com

Brenda Vázquez Colón – 787.392.6868
brenda@globalvisioncomms.com