It's been roughly two months Hurricane Maria wreaked havoc on Puerto Rico, and the U.S. territory's Medicaid crisis continues to worsen as Congress heads into December, according to The Hill.
Here are five things to know.
1. On Friday, the White House reportedly requested $44 billion in additional disaster relief. With that request, the current administration said it was "aware" of Puerto Rico's need for Medicaid funding, but it indicated Congress would have to take action, according to the report.
2. The year-end spending bill in Congress could potentially include Medicaid money for the island. However, the report notes Congress has a number of other issues to consider, including ACA cost-sharing subsidies to insurers.
3. Puerto Rico was dealing with Medicaid funding issues prior to Hurricane Maria. But now experts expect the territory's federal Medicaid funding to dry up in just months without Congressional action, according to the report. Federal estimates show this means up to 900,000 Puerto Ricans could face losing coverage.
4. In light of the Medicaid crisis, Puerto Rico has recently made reached out to President Donald Trump's administration and U.S. lawmakers for funding. For instance, last month Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosello requested $1.6 billion annually over the next five years, according to the report.
5. Members of that House committee are now in a statement urging the White House to "immediately provide additional funding and extend a 100 percent funding match for Medicaid in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands just as we did in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina," reports The Hill.
Read the full report here.