The Puerto Rico House of Representatives will increase oversight of residential facilities serving adults with intellectual disabilities after a recent case of alleged neglect. Gabriel Rodríguez Aguiló, chairman of the House Health Committee, plans to conduct unannounced visits to facilities with 100 or more participants to assess living conditions. Rodríguez Aguiló noted that some facilities receive substantial public funding, with costs up to $6,413 per participant per month.
The Department of Health’s Section of Services for Adults With Intellectual Disabilities (SSPADI) has 802 participants, with 490 receiving services through residential homes and 312 through family homes or community-based support. Government agencies reported that services for adults with disabilities are spread across multiple programs, with some agencies providing assistance, protective services, or outpatient services.
The Family Secretary, Suzanne Roig, and the Housing Secretary, Luis Augusto Martínez, stated that their departments have limited or no specialized services for people with intellectual disabilities. Rodríguez Aguiló described the issue as 'invisible' in Puerto Rico unless a particular case draws media attention.