Anonymous Donor Pays Tuition For Medical School's Entire Inaugural Class

Jenna Amatulli

An anonymous $3 million gift will pay for the full tuition of every member of the inaugural class of University of Houston’s College of Medicine, the school announced Wednesday.

University of Houston President Renu Khator said the donation will have a significant impact on the lives of the 30 students in the class.

“Student debt is the number one deterrent for students when applying to medical school,” she told local outlet ABC 13. “This generous gift will allow such students an opportunity to attend and ultimately lead the future medical workforce. As a result, the UH College of Medicine will increase access to primary care, enhance quality of life and strengthen Houston as a business destination.”

The money will also go toward the university’s “Here, We Go” campaign to raise $1 billion, according to ABC.

Average medical school debt was estimated to be $190,000 as of 2016. Twenty-five percent of medical school graduates carry debts higher than $200,000.

Congrats to these lucky future doctors!

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Puerto Ricans Are Americans

Despite the media constantly labeling Puerto Ricans living in the states as "immigrants," everyone born on the island holds a U.S. passport and is an American citizen. Yet the 3.7 million citizens that currently remain on the island are not eligible to vote for president.
Despite the media constantly labeling Puerto Ricans living in the states as "immigrants," everyone born on the island holds a U.S. passport and is an American citizen. Yet the 3.7 million citizens that currently remain on the island are not eligible to vote for president.

Mainland Americans Hold Puerto Rico's Debt

Puerto Rico Will Matter in 2016

Despite&nbsp;their ineligibility to vote for president on the island, how presidential candidates approach Puerto Rico's economic crisis could influence the 2016 election. The island participates in both the Democratic and Republican primaries and awards delegates that go towards each party's eventual nominee.&nbsp; During a visit to the island in April, former Republican presidential hopeful Jeb Bush <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/28/politics/jeb-bush-puerto-rico-statehood/">pushed</a>&nbsp;for Puerto Rican statehood. "Puerto Rican citizens, U.S. citizens, ought to have the right to determine whether they want to be a state. I think statehood is the best path, personally," Bush told the crowd at Universidad Metropolitana de Cupey in San Juan.

Mainland America Is Facing Similar Problems

Though Puerto Rico faces more serious economic issues than the rest of 50 U.S. states, some trends found in Puerto Rico can be easily be seen in the states,&nbsp;including contraction of the <a href="http://www.newyorkfed.org/research/current_issues/ci20-4.pdf">manufacturing industry</a>, weaker job security, difficulty reversing <a href="http://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.pr.htm">unemployment</a>, fewer <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/16/puerto-rico-student-protests_n_7295082.html">public services</a>&nbsp;and the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/09/us/economy-and-crime-spur-new-puerto-rican-exodus.html">decline</a>&nbsp;of the middle class.

Puerto Rico Cannot Declare Bankruptcy

<p>Regardless of party, Puerto Rico's political leaders largely agree that the island should enjoy the same protections extended to the rest of U.S. under Chapter 9 of the bankruptcy code. Puerto Rico's inability to seek economic relief under Chapter 9 makes renegotiating its debt much harder.&nbsp;</p>

Regardless of party, Puerto Rico's political leaders largely agree that the island should enjoy the same protections extended to the rest of U.S. under Chapter 9 of the bankruptcy code. Puerto Rico's inability to seek economic relief under Chapter 9 makes renegotiating its debt much harder. 

Hillary Clinton Supports Bankruptcy Rights For Puerto Rico

<p>"Congress should provide Puerto Rico the same authority that states already have to enable severely distressed government entities, including municipalities and public corporations, to restructure their debts," Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton wrote in a <a href="https://www.hillaryclinton.com/the-briefing/statement-puerto-rico/">statement</a>&nbsp;on her campaign's website.&nbsp;</p> <p>"We're not talking about a bailout, we're talking about a fair shot at success," Clinton <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2015/07/07/investing/puerto-rico-chapter-9-bankruptcy/">added</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

Puerto Rico Cannot Devalue Its Currency

As a last resort, independent countries will sometimes turn to devaluing their currency in order to kickstart economic growth. Due to its status as a U.S. territory and its&nbsp;use of the dollar, Puerto Rico is unable to make this choice.
As a last resort, independent countries will sometimes turn to devaluing their currency in order to kickstart economic growth. Due to its status as a U.S. territory and its use of the dollar, Puerto Rico is unable to make this choice.

Washington Will Not Bail Out Puerto Rico

The Obama administration will not be saving Puerto Rico anytime soon. The White House <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/2014/01/22/white-house-no-bailout-for-puerto-rico.html">publicly ruled out</a>&nbsp;aid packages that would keep the island from defaulting. U.S. Treasury officials have offered <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-05-07/feds-not-riding-to-puerto-rico-rescue-echoes-playbook-on-detroit">advice</a>&nbsp;to Puerto Rico on on how to help manage its debt crisis, but have not offered concrete solutions. Currently, the administration has lobbied Congress to pass existing legislation designed to extend bankruptcy protections to the island.

Puerto Ricans Can't Vote In Congress

Puerto Rico doesn't have a vote in Congress. Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi, Puerto Rico's lone representative, can submit legislation to the rest of the body but cannot vote on it.
Puerto Rico doesn't have a vote in Congress. Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi, Puerto Rico's lone representative, can submit legislation to the rest of the body but cannot vote on it.

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