U.S. lawmakers agreed to extend some health-care aid to Puerto Rico as part of a $1.1 trillion spending bill that would avert a government shutdown, a step that fell far short of the lifeline the Caribbean island was seeking to rescue it from its escalating debt crisis.
The legislation, which marks Congresss first step to assist Puerto Rico, failed to include any of the islands key priorities, opting instead for measures that would increase health funding by about $900 million over a decade and allow the Treasury Department to provide technical assistance. The bill may be the last chance this year for the commonwealth to receive help from the federal government.
The bill doesnt provide any meaningful provision to help Puerto Rico address …
Read the full article at: http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-12-16/congress-offers-health-aid-to-puerto-rico-in-u-s-spending-bill