Second Class Citizens: The Case Against Unequal Military Healthcare Benefits for Puerto Rican Veterans

Authors

Mónica Matos-Desa, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law

Abstract

The note argues that Puerto Rican veterans and their families face unequal treatment under the TRICARE healthcare system due to Puerto Rico's status as an unincorporated territory. This inequality stems from historical legal frameworks that have perpetuated the notion of Puerto Ricans as second-class citizens, despite their significant contributions to the U.S. military. The note advocates for legislative changes to extend equal TRICARE Prime benefits to Puerto Rico, ensuring first-class citizenship for its residents.

Disciplines

Courts | Education Law | Health Law and Policy | Law | Legal Education

Recommended Citation

Mónica Matos-Desa, Second Class Citizens: The Case Against Unequal Military Healthcare Benefits for Puerto Rican Veterans, 16 Cardozo J. Equal Rts. & Soc. Just. 291 (2010).
Available at: https://larc.cardozo.yu.edu/cardozoersj/vol16/iss2/5