H.R. 3932 – HELP Puerto Rico Act

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 6:20 PM UTC

The HELP Puerto Rico Act amends the Social Security Act to raise the amount of federal Medicaid funding that Puerto Rico receives. It adds extra cash payments and raises the federal matching rate for certain Medicaid costs, with some of the increases tied to performance certifications by the Puerto Rico Financial Oversight and Management Board.

Key Provisions

Increases the baseline Medicaid cap for Puerto Rico by adding one extra percentage point for fiscal years 2018 and 2019.
Adds a flat $880 million boost to Puerto Rico’s Medicaid funding, plus an additional $120 million if the Oversight Board certifies that Puerto Rico has taken steps to reduce fraud, curb wasteful spending, improve data use, and enhance care quality between Oct. 1, 2017 and Dec. 31, 2019.
Requires Puerto Rico to submit a report by Oct. 1, 2018 showing progress on those fraud‑reduction and quality goals to qualify for the extra $120 million.
Raises the federal matching rate for Medicaid medical personnel costs and fraud‑reduction activities from 75% to 90% for Puerto Rico during 2018‑2019.
Specifies that quarterly payments under a certain Medicaid provision will not be counted when applying the increased funding formulas.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

October 6, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

October 3, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

October 3, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

October 6, 2017

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued October 3, 2017

I

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3932

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 3, 2017

Mr. Lance (for himself and Miss González-Colón of Puerto Rico) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to provide for increased Puerto Rico Medicaid payments, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Healthcare Expenditures for Low-income Populations in Puerto Rico Act or the HELP Puerto Rico Act.

2.

Puerto Rico Medicaid payments

(a)

Increased cap

Section 1108(g) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1308(g)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting (or, with respect to fiscal years 2018 and 2019, increased by such percentage increase plus one percentage point) after beginning of the fiscal year; and

(2)

in paragraph (5)—

(A)

in subparagraph (A), by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), and (E); and

(B)

by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:

(C)

The amount of the increase otherwise provided under subparagraph (A) for Puerto Rico shall be further increased by $880,000,000.

(D)

(i)

For the period beginning October 1, 2017, and ending December 31, 2019, the amount of the increase otherwise provided under subparagraph (A) for Puerto Rico shall be further increased by $120,000,000 if the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico established under section 101 of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (48 U.S.C. 2121) certifies by a majority vote that Puerto Rico has taken reasonable and appropriate steps during such period to—

(I)

reduce fraud, waste, and abuse under the program under title XIX;

(II)

implement strategies to reduce unnecessary, inefficient, or excessive spending under title XIX;

(III)

improve the use and availability of Medicaid data for program operation and oversight; and

(IV)

improve the quality of care and patient experience for individuals enrolled under the program under title XIX.

(ii)

As a condition of any additional increase pursuant to clause (i), not later than October 1, 2018, Puerto Rico shall submit to the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico a report regarding steps taken to achieve each of the goals described in subclauses (I) through (IV) of clause (i).

(E)

Payments under section 1903(a)(8) for a quarter of a fiscal year shall not be taken into account in applying subsection (f) (as increased in accordance with this paragraph and paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4)) to Puerto Rico for such fiscal year.

.

(b)

Federal match for medical personnel and fraud reduction

Section 1903(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b(a)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting subject to paragraph (8), before an amount;

(2)

in paragraph (6)—

(A)

in subparagraph (B), by inserting subject to paragraph (8), before 75 per centum; and

(B)

by striking at the end plus;

(3)

in paragraph (7), by striking at the end the period and inserting ; plus; and

(4)

by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(8)

for quarters during the period beginning January 1, 2018, and ending December 31, 2019, paragraphs (2)(A) and (6) shall apply with respect to Puerto Rico as if—

(A)

the reference to 75 per centum in paragraph (2)(A) were a reference to 90 per centum; and

(B)

the reference to 75 per centum in paragraph (6)(B) were a reference to 90 per centum.

.