US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited Puerto Rico to inaugurate the new Hospital Susana Centeno in Vieques, accompanied by Governor Jenniffer González Colón. The hospital was built with a total investment of $85.5 million and restores essential hospital services to the island, nine years after Hurricane María forced the closure of Vieques’ only health facility.
González Colón highlighted the importance of working with the US Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to address Puerto Rico’s specific health needs. The hospital’s inauguration comes a day after the government presented a report to secure funding for the Vital and Platinum health card, which serves 1.3 million low-income individuals.
The governor noted that she had secured funds for the hospital’s construction during her time as resident commissioner.