Experts say Hurricane Maria, which hit in 2017, exposed an already deteriorating system.

“The collapse is caused mainly by debt and the economic crisis in Puerto Rico and historic privatization of the health care system there. Our research shows patients are waiting for six to eight months to get an appointment with a specialist. If that’s not a sign of collapse, I don’t know what is,” said Varas-Diaz.

    • JohnDolt@lemmy.world
      8·
      1 year ago

      Man that’s a loaded question. Easiest answer is yes, however sprinkle additional infighting of political parties within.

    • PeleSpirit@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      8·
      1 year ago

      I’m not great at Puerto Rican politics, but I think they voted not to join as a state themselves. I doubt the racists would let them in if they did anyway.

      • originalucifer@moist.catsweat.com
        61·
        1 year ago

        i thought i read something about them blocking any additional states as it would inevitably be a liberal leaning state…and we cant have that.

          • girlfreddy@lemmy.world
            3·
            1 year ago

            Unfortunately the US gov’t has always seemed to enjoy taking federal tax dollars (except income tax, which Puerto Ricans do not pay) from Puerto Rico without having to spend money to provide services.

            Six years ago it was hit hard by huricane Maria and last year, while still recovering from that, it was hit by Fiona.

            Experts say the island’s economic crisis is rooted in twentieth-century legislation that encouraged Puerto Rico’s reliance on debt to fill federal funding gaps. It did this by giving bond investors higher returns and loosening borrowing limits. Since 1917, lenders to Puerto Rico have been exempt from local, state, and federal taxes—the so-called triple tax exemption—effectively boosting their profits and making the island a more attractive investment. The territory’s constitution also allows Puerto Rico to balance its budget with its debt, among other provisions that facilitate borrowing.

            The debt problem accelerated after 1996, when the U.S. government began phasing out Internal Revenue Code Section 936. This provision had allowed American businesses to operate tax-free in Puerto Rico, which critics viewed as a windfall for wealthy corporations. Section 936’s repeal triggered a deterioration of Puerto Rico’s manufacturing sector, and the territorial government increasingly turned to debt to cover its spending.

            source