The Secretary of the Department of Health (DS) Carlos Mellado López and the Secretary of Justice, Domingo Emanuelli, participated in a status conference in the case to care for adults with intellectual disabilities.
The case, which dates back to 1999, was filed by the U.S. Government after a group of parents of people with intellectual disabilities alleged that they were not receiving adequate services for that population.
“Since I was nominated by the Governor, I have started holding meetings with the federal monitor in this case, so that we can end this case once and for all. My commitment to the Court and to all program participants of Intellectual Disability is to ensure that services of excellence are provided to this population and that the guidelines of the Court are complied with “, pointed out Mellado López.
At the meeting, Judge Gustavo Gelpí acknowledged the work and commitment of the new administration of Governor Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia and Dr. Mellado, and was extremely pleased with the progress and change of tone that has taken place so far in 2021.
In addition, from Secretary Mellado, the meeting was attended by the Secretary of Justice, the Chief Legal Adviser to the Governor, Lic. Isaïes Sánchez Báez, the Governor’s representative in the case, Lcda. Maria de la Mar Ortiz, as well as lawyers representing the Government of Puerto Rico and the Department of Health. Similarly, the Lic. Alfredo Castellanos, Federal Monitor, and Lic. Richard Farano, who represents the United States Government in the case. DS staff participated in the conference.
“It was an encouraging conference between the parties, the federal monitor and the Honorable Judge Gelpí that puts the Department of Health, the Department of Justice and the Government of Puerto Rico on the right path to compliance in the case of intellectual disability. “It also demonstrates the interest of this government in protecting the interests of the participants in such a large-scale health program in the lives of our people.” declared for his part, the Secretary of Justice.
Finally, the Secretary of Health has assured that, “this server and my work team will continue to work tirelessly for all participants in the program. My wish is to be able to comply with all those Court assignments, so that we can guarantee the resources. and necessary services for this community. Productive meetings like today’s will continue to be held during my tenure as secretary, “Mellado López concluded.
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