Designated health secretary rejects mismanagement claims

Designated Health Secretary Víctor Ramos Otero

By The Star Staff

In response to what he described as libelous remarks made in media and social media discussions, designated Health Secretary Víctor Ramos Otero distanced himself from irregularities around the management of funds designated for the creation of a health insurance plan during his presidency at the Physicians and Surgeons Association of Puerto Rico (CMCPR by its initials in Spanish.

On Tuesday, Gov. Jenniffer González Colón said she would not be withdrawing Ramos’ nomination.

In defending himself from the mismanagement claims, Ramos said the CMCPR has a governing board composed of several members who have the right to speak and vote, participating in the institution’s strategic decision-making.

The development of the health insurance plan was a guideline established by the General Assembly aimed at providing a viable alternative for patients and improving compensation for health service providers, he said.

The project was presented to the CMCPR’s governing board and received full approval. At that time, Carlos Díaz, the current CMCPR president, served as vice president of both the CMCPR and the medical plan, playing a key role in its development and execution, he said.

“It is worth noting that this initiative began before Hurricane Maria, with the goal of offering a health-care alternative that would benefit both the medical community and patients in Puerto Rico,” Ramos said. “However, due to the hurricane’s devastating impact, the project was extended and that led to higher costs than anticipated, as the Association’s priorities shifted to support recovery efforts. During this crisis, efforts were redirected toward coordinating aid for doctors, ensuring access to health services, and providing support to the most affected communities.”

The medical health plan was designed as a private corporation with its own board of directors, allowing the participation of various health sectors. That structure enabled members and providers to act as shareholders, ensuring equitable representation in decision-making, Ramos noted.

“When Díaz took over the presidency of the Association and the medical plan, everything was in place for filing with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner,” he said. “During the transition period, the actuarial study was handed over to him, along with a new investor proposal, as the impact of Hurricane Maria had dampened interest from potential shareholders.”

“It is essential to emphasize that Dr. Carlos Díaz, in his capacity as president of the Association and the medical plan, ultimately decided not to continue with the directive of the General Assembly and did not present the actuarial studies or the required documents to the Insurance Commissioner,” Ramos noted.

From the outset, the medical plan had the backing of health providers who recognized the need for a new patient alternative and a platform that would address sector demands for better compensation for their services, he said.

“During my administration, the funds were managed according to established procedures and with total transparency,” Ramos said. “As a testament to my commitment to the project, I invested in shares of the associated entity, reaffirming my genuine interest in its success and the benefits it could bring for doctors and patients in Puerto Rico.”

“All transactions and financial decisions related to these funds are thoroughly documented,” he said. “We have previously addressed this matter in detail to senators, representatives, and other officials who had learned about it from a previously published press article. This issue has recently resurfaced, seemingly aimed at creating doubt and malicious questions. At no point has there been any mishandling or diversion of resources.”

Additionally, the investors in the medical plan held quarterly meetings in person, and after the pandemic began, those meetings continued virtually to follow up on the initiative, he said.

Initially, the plan was designed to provide coverage to patients under the Medicare Advantage model; however, during its development, it was decided to modify the structure to become a commercial health plan. That change, Ramos noted, led to adjustments in the management of the bank account and other operational aspects of the project.