Morales: Senate health panel needs evidence to evaluate claims against Ramos

Senate Health Committee Chairman Juan Oscar Morales Rodríguez

By The Star Staff

Senate Health Committee Chairman Juan Oscar Morales Rodríguez stated on Tuesday that neither Health Secre-tary-designate Víctor Ramos Otero nor Physicians and Surgeons Association of Puerto Rico President Carlos Díaz Vélez have provided any evidence regarding the missing $1.4 million intended for creating a health insurance plan.

Díaz has accused Ramos, a former president of the Physicians and Surgeons Association, of being responsible for the alleged disappearance of approximately $1.4 million donated by doctors for the establishment of the health insur-ance plan during his tenure. The questions raised around the missing funds have hindered Ramos from receiving Senate confirmation.

“Neither Carlos Díaz nor Víctor Ramos has presented me with evidence or documents to support these accusations. It’s not enough for someone to simply stand in front of me and tell me what they want,” Morales emphasized in a ra-dio interview. “I need to give both of them the opportunity to present all the evidence they have in their possession to substantiate each accusation. I’ve been clear with both of them. I have met with them in my office, but that alone is insufficient; I need evidence to support these claims.”

Morales highlighted that Ramos should clarify the sit-uation, but he believes it does not necessitate the governor withdrawing the pediatrician’s appointment.

“There are colleagues here who have made judgments without hearing from Mr. Víctor Ramos,” the Health Committee chairman said. “Therefore, for the parliamentary majority, it is crucial that Víctor Ramos has the opportunity to attend hearings and respond to each accusation made against him by Carlos Díaz. Once he provides those answers and makes his statements, we will be in a better position to evaluate whether the nominee deserves confirmation.”

“Without a doubt, the Senate will fulfill its responsibil-ities,” Morales added. “We remain consistent, unlike others who are currently asking the Governor of Puerto Rico to withdraw the appointment.”

Sen. Luis Javier Hernández Ortiz, the Popular Demo-cratic Party minority leader in the upper chamber, insisted that the governor should withdraw the appointment.

“I am making a proposal as the minority leader, and if she doesn’t want to listen to the minority voices on her council, then that’s her problem,” the former mayor of Villalba said. “Among the 7,000 applications submitted, there must be a qualified doctor, a qualified female doctor, or a good administrator who can ensure that the Health Department is led by someone with excellent communication skills with the medical profession and a strong administrative profile.”

During a press conference Monday at which the desig-nated health secretary was present, the governor made it clear that she does not intend to withdraw Ramos’ appointment.

“We’re going to wait for the Puerto Rican Senate to hold its hearing, and at that time, he’ll have every opportunity to answer questions regarding that topic,” she said, addressing questions directed at the nominee. “I think it’s important to allow the secretary, who hasn’t had his confirmation hearing yet, the chance to respond to intelligent and timely questions at that time.”

As reported by the STAR on Tuesday, Díaz planned to hold a press conference “no later than” today where he said he will address the controversy surrounding Ramos and the missing funds.