Health

Hospital Billing Failures, Weak Collections and $94 Million in Uncompensated Care Loom Over $188 Million Combined Request

The territory’s two hospitals are carrying tens of millions of dollars in old and current obligations while absorbing nearly $94 million in uncompensated care during fiscal year 2026, leaving hospital leaders and lawmakers focused on debt reduction, billing deficiencies and the risk that unpaid vendors could disrupt access to critical medical supplies. During a seven-hour hearing before the Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance, officials disclosed that Juan F. Luis Hospital has approximately $45.6 million in outstanding obligations, consisting of $22.9 million in accounts payable and $22.7 million in outstanding employee obligations. Some of those debts are legacy obligations “aged over 300 days, with some balances dating back to 2005,” said Darlene Baptist, chief executive officer of both hospitals. At Schneider Regional Medical Center, accounts payable total approximately $57.7 million. Of that amount, $17.56 million represents legacy obligations “extending to as early ...