{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://hernandez.house.gov/media/press-releases/comisionado-residente-puerto-rico-merece-ser-visto-en-los-datos-nacionales-de", "Comisionado Residente: Puerto Rico merece ser visto en los datos nacionales de salud mental", "2025-11-19", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "PR", "Pablo Jos\u00e9 Hern\u00e1ndez", "H001103", "hernandez.house.gov", "hernandez", "https://hernandez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 El Comisionado Residente de Puerto Rico, Pablo Jos\u00e9 Hern\u00e1ndez present\u00f3 el Puerto Rico Substance Use and Health Data Collection Act (H.R. 6030), una medida que busca incluir a Puerto Rico en la Encuesta Nacional sobre el Uso de Drogas y la Salud (NSDUH, por sus siglas en ingl\u00e9s). Esta es la fuente principal del gobierno federal para recopilar datos a nivel nacional sobre el consumo de drogas, as\u00ed como sobre trastornos por uso de sustancias y condiciones de salud mental.\n\n\u201cDurante demasiado tiempo, Puerto Rico ha estado excluido de los datos que impulsan las decisiones nacionales de salud p\u00fablica\u201d, expres\u00f3 el Comisionado Residente Hern\u00e1ndez. \u201cSi realmente queremos enfrentar los retos de la adicci\u00f3n, la salud mental y el abuso de sustancias, nuestra isla no puede seguir siendo invisible en las estad\u00edsticas que determinan los fondos y recursos. Este proyecto se trata de justicia y de asegurar que las necesidades de Puerto Rico se atiendan como parte del panorama nacional.\u201d\n\nANTECEDENTES\n\nActualmente, la Encuesta Nacional sobre el Uso de Drogas y la Salud (NSDUH) ofrece estimaciones estatales cada dos a\u00f1os que orientan la formulaci\u00f3n de pol\u00edticas p\u00fablicas, la asignaci\u00f3n de recursos y las intervenciones de salud p\u00fablica a nivel federal y local.\n\nSin embargo, Puerto Rico no est\u00e1 incluido en esta recopilaci\u00f3n de datos, lo que genera una brecha significativa en la comprensi\u00f3n nacional de las tendencias de salud conductual en uno de los territorios m\u00e1s poblados y diversos de Estados Unidos. La ausencia de datos espec\u00edficos de la isla dificulta que las autoridades, las agencias de salud y las organizaciones comunitarias puedan identificar necesidades, obtener fondos y desarrollar respuestas efectivas basadas en evidencia frente a los retos del uso de sustancias y la salud mental.\n\nEl proyecto de ley Puerto Rico Substance Use and Health Data Collection Act enmienda la Ley de Servicio de Salud P\u00fablica (Public Health Service Act) para requerir la inclusi\u00f3n de Puerto Rico en la NSDUH a partir del a\u00f1o fiscal 2026. Al cerrar esta brecha hist\u00f3rica, la legislaci\u00f3n permitir\u00e1 que los responsables de pol\u00edticas p\u00fablicas y los profesionales de la salud desarrollen estrategias m\u00e1s precisas y basadas en datos, promoviendo un enfoque nacional m\u00e1s equitativo en materia de salud conductual. El Comisionado Residente Hern\u00e1ndez present\u00f3 esta legislaci\u00f3n junto a los Representantes Don Beyer (VA-08), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Dan Goldman (NY-10) y Nydia Vel\u00e1zquez (NY-07).\n\nResident Commissioner Hern\u00e1ndez: Puerto Rico Deserves to Be Seen in the Nation\u2019s Mental Health Data\n\nHern\u00e1ndez bill would ensure Puerto Rico\u2019s communities are no longer left out of key federal data used to shape national public health policy.\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, Pablo Jos\u00e9 Hern\u00e1ndez, introduced the Puerto Rico Substance Use and Health Data Collection Act (H.R.6030), legislation that would include Puerto Rico in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the federal government\u2019s primary source of nationwide data on drug use, as well as substance use disorders and mental health conditions.\n\n\u201cFor too long, Puerto Rico has been excluded from the data that drives national public health decisions,\u201d said Resident Commissioner Hern\u00e1ndez. \u201cIf we are serious about tackling addiction, mental health, and substance abuse, then our island cannot remain invisible in the statistics that determine funding and resources. This bill is about fairness and making sure Puerto Rico\u2019s needs are addressed as part of the national picture.\u201d\n\n\"When Puerto Rico is not included in commonly used federal data systems\u2014something that currently occurs in 47% of them\u2014it challenges our ability to accurately understand the needs of our population. The absence of comprehensive data directly impacts access to health services, particularly for individuals living with chronic conditions and mental health challenges. Ensuring Puerto Rico is included in these platforms is essential. Having complete and representative information is a critical step toward advancing the health and well-being of our communities.\" Dr. Marianyoly Ortiz, executive director, Puerto Rico Public Health Institute.\n\n\u201cWe cannot meaningfully and effectively respond to the mental health and substance use crises without accurate, equitable, and far-reaching data collection,\u201d Congressman Paul Tonko said. \u201cFor too long, Puerto Rico has been unjustly excluded from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). I\u2019m proud to co-sponsor this bill to change that \u2013 ensuring fairness in this data collection and giving us a better understanding to addressing behavioral health across our communities.\u201d\n\nBACKGROUND\n\nCurrently, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) provides biennial state-level estimates that guide federal and local policy, resource allocation, and public health interventions. However, Puerto Rico is not included in this data collection, creating a significant gap in the nation\u2019s understanding of behavioral health trends in one of its most populous territories.\n\nHowever, Puerto Rico is currently excluded from this data collection, leaving a major gap in the nation\u2019s understanding of behavioral-health trends in one of its largest and most diverse jurisdictions. The absence of island-specific data makes it harder for public officials, health agencies, and local organizations to secure resources and develop evidence-based responses to substance-use and mental-health challenges.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://hernandez.house.gov/media/press-releases/comisionado-residente-puerto-rico-merece-ser-visto-en-los-datos-nacionales-de"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8582570590078831, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}