Proposal would tap sports betting to pay for new doctors

With the number of physicians falling to historically low levels, a new proposal by a doctor and activist would use a portion of proceeds from sports betting to fund an expansion of health services on the Island. State Senate candidate Dr. Elaine ‘Tuti’ Soler has suggested using five percent of tax earnings from online sports betting to partially finance the academic expenses of medical students in key specialties where new doctors have been difficult to recruit. Soler estimates that Puerto Rico is expected to take in approximately $6 million in taxes associated with sports betting. According to the College of Surgeons of Puerto Rico, fewer than nine thousand doctors are currently operating on the Island, the lowest level in four decades. Physicians in some specialties are extremely hard to find; for example, only 17 neurosurgeons currently practice on the Island. Soler adds that medical needs will increase on the Island as Puerto Rico’s population ages. Currently there are approximately 770,000 people age 65 or older.

New study shows what it would take for return of diaspora

Nearly one-third of members of the Puerto Rican diaspora would consider returning to the Island if certain conditions are met, a new study found. In the survey, commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce, 32 percent of respondents said that they would be willing to return to Puerto Rico if quality of life improved and sufficient employment opportunities were made available. Ramón Pérez Blanco, president of the Chamber of Commerce, tells El Nuevo Dia that Puerto Ricans left the Island seeking employment opportunities, professional growth, education, and healthcare. He adds that the improvements called for by members of the diaspora are achievable.

Bankruptcies on the rise during early 2024

El Nuevo Dia details some sour economic news, with a report that bankruptcies on the Island increased by nearly two-thirds in April when compared to the same month last year. There were 524 such cases last month, 62 percent higher than April of 2023. Chapter 7 liquidation cases amounted to 169 filings during April, an increase of approximately 80 percent. Additionally, 345 Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases were filed, 50 percent higher than a year ago.  During the first four months of 2024, bankruptcies amounted to 1,851 cases, which was 41 percent higher than those registered during the same period in 2023. The data come from the Puerto Rico Bulletin.