A New York delegation wrapped up its one-day solidarity trip to Puerto Rico, where elected officials spoke with health and economic experts about the island's struggles.

Outside of Puerto Rico, New York is home to the largest Puerto Rican population. Following an invitation by Puerto Rico Gov. Alejandro García Padilla, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and 15 other officials traveled to the island on Sept. 7, and returned to the mainland on Sept. 8.

In a statement made before arriving in the commonwealth, Cuomo said the Puerto Rican government is encountering a health care and economic crisis, and the delegation's goal was to find ways to be helpful. He added that the relationship between New York and Puerto Rico has lasted generations, and the team would aid the island to find a "path to prosperity again."

At La Fortaleza, the Puerto Rican equivalent of the White House, Cuomo and García Padilla shared a welcoming toast.

"There is no problem that you are dealing with now that we have not dealt with in New York, so we think we can be helpful cause we've dealt with all these problems and we've made all the mistakes you could make along the way," said Cuomo, standing next to García Padilla, addressing reporters.

"As goes Puerto Rico, goes New York. It is just the function of the connection with the population. Puerto Rico sneezes, New York catches a cold," Cuomo later continued, noting that the team would identify the commonwealth's priorities and then develop strategies to overcome challenges.

According to New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who accompanied the delegation, the officials discussed possible Medicaid reforms and ways to reduce costs. Despite the Affordable Care Act's implementation, Puerto Rico receives low reimbursement rates on Medicare and Medicaid, and it has been considered as a factor to the island's economic struggles.

Puerto Rico's debt has hit over $70 billion. In late June, García Padilla said the island's debt is "unpayable," but he denied allegations that the debt is solely the result of loans.

"These are not easy times that we have had to live," said Garcia Padilla in June. "But if we battle together, against any enemy, against any crisis, united, Puerto Rico will prevail."

Elected officials from Puerto Rican and the U.S. mainland have called on Congress to intervene in the commonwealth's debt crisis. In the House of Representatives, Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi, Puerto Rico's non-voting congressman, introduced H.R. 970, which would grant the island the same bankruptcy law benefits as U.S. states. The Senate also introduced a complementary bill, S. 1774.

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