Special-education providers demand a rate adjustment after losing therapists

On July 15, 2026, NotiCel reports that the president of the Association of Therapy Service Professionals and Providers, Víctor Moreno, demanded that the Department of Education update therapy rates. He warned that the structure in force since 2015 makes it hard to retain professionals. "Every therapist we lose represents one more therapy for a child in the United States and one fewer therapy for a special-education child in Puerto Rico," he said. APPST backed the demand with a study by economist Gustavo Vélez, presented June 10 to secretary Eliezer Ramos Parés. According to the association, the analysis concluded that the rates do not reflect inflation, administrative costs, or the labor market.

Providers, Víctor Moreno said, receive compensation calculated under the reality of more than a decade ago, while they pay more for staff, insurance, technology, energy, water, transportation, and compliance. That gap reduces the ability to improve pay to therapists, many of whom leave for other jurisdictions. He asked that the review be completed before the start of services for the next school year, set for August 3. He argued that the crisis requires the governor, the Legislative Assembly, OGP, and Hacienda, because several measures exceed Education's authority. He said additional analyses are being done to cost the study's recommendations.

On July 2, NotiCel covered $118 million to settle the Program's obligations. On July 24 it covered complaints of payment delays. On the 27th, Radio Isla reported that OGP confirmed the start of payments to Provisional Remedy providers. A rate demand, a transfer, and a delay are three acts. The reader who wants APPST's request has the NotiCel URL at the foot.

Source: NotiCel. https://noticel.com/ultima-hora/20260715/proveedores-de-educacion-especial-reclaman-ajuste-tarifario-ante-perdida-de-terapistas/