The municipalities shall have the obligation to supply, free of charge, adequate medical assistance, hospitalization and the necessary medications after being prescribed by a physician for their treatment, to the members of the Police Force, as well as to their spouses, minor children, children under twenty-one (21) years of age who are attending a post-secondary course of studies, or their disabled dependents. Likewise, all hospitals [and] clinics of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall render said medical and hospitalization services to the members of the Force as well as to their spouses, minor children or disabled dependents, when they so request them, and provide all prescribed medications free of charge, and issue any necessary certificates. The municipalities, and the Government hospitals and clinics shall give preferential treatment to the requests of the members of the Police for medical assistance and hospitalization. The benefits provided in this section shall be extended to the widows or surviving spouses of any member of the Puerto Rico Police unless they remarry, to their dependents until they come of age, or of any age disabled, and to the members of the Puerto Rico Police who retire with twenty-five (25) years or more of honorable service.
In the event that the persons entitled to these benefits have availed themselves of any type of prepaid health insurance plan, the state or municipal institution which provides them with any type of health services may bill said plan for the services rendered, exempting the person in question from paying the corresponding deductible.
History —June 10, 1996, No. 53, § 20, eff. July 1, 1996.