Transformation of public healthcare services in Puerto Rico from 1993 until 2010

On 1993, the Government of Puerto Rico had been providing direct healthcare services for almost 50 years. Because of raising costs of healthcare technology, the government officers decided to stop financing direct healthcare services transforming its role to one of an insurer. It has been 18 (2010) years since the approval of the Puerto Rico Healthcare Reform of 1993 and the question still lies in public discussions and on professional meetings; Has the Government achieve all the objectives of the Healthcare Reform of 1993?. This research primary objective was to produce an answer to this unanswered question. DESIGN METHODS: Using case study and comparative analysis that included budget, economic, annual reports, among others a design was produced to achieve an effective assessment of the Puerto Rico Healthcare Reform. RESULTS: Since the government is still a direct provider of healthcare services not only an insurer and has not achieved a reduction of the public healthcare expenditures associated with the healthcare sector the objectives of the Healthcare Reform of 1993 have not ben met. CONCLUSION: After a thorough analysis of the data, it can be concluded that the objectives of the Healthcare Reform of Puerto Rico of 1993 have not been met, thus making this important reform a failure.