Federal Judge Seizes Puerto Rico Govt Funds Amid Crisis

Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- Puerto Rico's financially strapped government was ordered by a federal judge Friday to immediately pay long-overdue bills owed by the Health Department to companies that serve mentally disabled people in the U.S. territory.

U.S. District Judge Gustavo Gelpi said his order seemed to be the only way to protect the rights of a special needs population amid a worsening economic crisis.

"Otherwise, the effects to these individuals will be devastating and beyond repair," he wrote in the order, which is tied to a 12-year legal battle in which the U.S. government sought to improve Puerto Rico's health system for the mentally disabled.

Gelpi also called an emergency meeting with top government officials next week and warned that he will take additional steps if the situation is not resolved.

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