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Democracy Now!

Puerto Rico Seeks Bankruptcy Help in Face of Crushing Debt

"Democracy Now!" airs weekdays at 9 a.m. PT on KCET.

Puerto Rico could be on the verge of following Greece in defaulting on its debt. Puerto Rico's government and the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority say they will miss today's deadline for more than $1 billion in payments on a debt of more than $73 billion. This comes as Puerto Rico's unemployment is more than twice the U.S. national rate, and its poverty level is nearly double that of the poorest U.S. state. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico's healthcare system may also be on the verge of collapse. "Democracy Now!" is joined by Congressmember Nydia Velázquez, Democrat for New York and the first Puerto Rican woman to be elected to Congress.

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