Joint letter urges Reid to support health care for U.S. territories

Pacific Daily News
Mar 2, 2010

Gov. Felix Camacho and other island governors sent a joint letter urging Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to support quality health care for citizens in the U.S territories.

President Obama's proposal does not adequately provide equal healthcare opportunities for the territories' residents' according to Camacho in a press release.

Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuño, Northern Marianas Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. John P. deJongh Jr. and Camacho signed the the joint letter.

"The President's proposal ... fails to reflect the commitment made by the President ... to support a phase-in of equal treatment for the territories in federal health-care policy," the territory governor's wrote.

To further push for inclusion of the U.S territories into the health-care reform bill, the governors also asked Reid to support the House provisions as discussions of the bill are under way.