AMSCA reports expanded crisis response, overdoses and plans for new psychiatric hospital; urges continuity of federal funds

Carmen Bonet Vázquez, administradora de la Administración de Servicios de Salud y Contra la Adicción (AMSCA), told the transition committee the agency has expanded crisis response lines, prevention campaigns and treatment capacity while facing staffing and funding challenges.

"La línea PAS ha sido la primera línea de respuesta," Bonet said, reporting that the line has handled multiple millions of interactions and that AMSCA has expanded capacity with new staff and 50 additional cubicles for callers.

AMSCA presented its fiscal picture for 2024: a gross budget cited at about $157.47 million and, after pension allocations, an operating budget of roughly $109 million. The agency also reported expected federal receipts and grant funds totaling about $67.8 million and said FEMA‑related project funds (totaling more than $500 million in awards, with roughly $348 million obligated but pending) have been extended to 2027 in some cases.

Bonet listed prevention and treatment programs that AMSCA said produced measurable outreach: an education and resilience program reaching tens of thousands of students, community saturation distribution of naloxone kits (more than 125,000 kits distributed) and training for thousands of first responders and community professionals. She also said the agency reopened a detox clinic that now holds a certificate of need and a license and is seeking to credential clinics for continued operation.

On overdose and suicide metrics, AMSCA cited Institute of Forensic Sciences data showing 209 overdose deaths in the referenced period with fentanyl detected in 168 cases; the agency reported a year‑to‑date decline in youth suicides and a lower suicide total compared to the prior year for the same reporting period. Bonet said AMSCA contracted the University of Puerto Rico – Medical Sciences Campus for a comprehensive study on mental health and substance use in Puerto Rico; the study is expected to finish in about 12–15 months.

AMSCA also described infrastructure projects in progress, including a planned psychiatric hospital in Bayamón supported by CDBG funding ($85 million proposed for 100 inpatient beds and 35 stabilization beds) with RFPs for design and construction ready and an estimated 36‑month construction timeline. The agency said these projects are linked to FEMA and CAPEX funding lines and that some federal caps and deadlines require administrative attention.

Senators pressed for details on contract renewals, staffing vacancies (AMSCA reported roughly 137 nursing vacancies across its hospitals), and the operational status of electronic platforms for licensure and overdose monitoring. Bonet acknowledged some platforms required adaptation to new administrative rules (PRiTZ/PRIX approvals were mentioned) and committed to providing requested documentation and status updates on contracts, vacancy lists, and project timelines.

What’s next: AMSCA said it will submit the detailed lists and project status materials requested by committee members and urged continuity of key federal and ARPA‑funded programs that the agency described as critical to maintaining prevention and treatment gains.