{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"How the Legacy of Colonialism Keeps Puerto Rico\u2019s Healthcare System in Shambles (Encore)","description":"Almost half of Puerto Rico\u2019s doctors have fled the island over the past decade, leading to a lack of specialists and treatment and incredibly long wait times. And this isn\u2019t just an inconvenience. People are dying from lack of care. Why is Puerto Rico\u2019s health care system collapsing, and why are doctors fleeing the island? We take a look at its deeply dysfunctional private medical system and why attempts to fix it, and create a universal health care plan on the island, are being hindered by Puerto Rico\u2019s status as a US colony. Its massive unpayable debt, held by investors in the US, means that it cannot make its own economic decisions, even when it affects the livelihood of poor Puerto Ricans living there. But there might be a fix, getting rid of Puerto Rico\u2019s debt and rethinking its colonial relationship to the US. This episode first aired in October 2024. Credits: Making Contact Team Episode Host: Salima Hamirani Producers: Anita Johnson, Salima Hamirani, Amy Gastelum, and Lucy Kang Executive Director: Jina Chung Editor: Adwoa Gyimah-Brempong Engineer: [Jeff Emtman](http:\/\/www.jeffemtman.com\/) Digital Marketing Manager: Lissa Deonarain Music Credits Daniel Birch \u2013 Indigo Strokes Axletree \u2013 Goldfinch- Flight to the North Mindseye \u2013 Spores Soft and Furious \u2013 So What Learn More:  Boricuas Unidos en la Diaspora | The Nation Magazine: Puerto Rico\u2019s Unnatural Disaster Making Contact is an award-winning, nationally syndicated radio show and podcast featuring narrative storytelling and thought-provoking interviews. We cover the most urgent issues of our time and the people on the ground building a more just world. ","author_name":"Making Contact","author_url":"http:\/\/www.focmedia.org","html":"