Colombian government minister annouced $562 billion investment in health care system in areas unprofitable for health insurance companies.
In an interview with Caracol Radio, Social Protection Minister Mauricio Santamaria said that billions of dollars will be injected into the health care system, adding that there are regions which willl never be able to have competition between health insurance companies (EPS) and there must be a defined budget for hospitals and clinics in these areas. He said that $562 billion will be invested to guarentee health care coverage in these specific areas of the country.
Following President Juan Manuel Santos’ statement about health care restructuring, Santamaria gave further details on the reform.
Newspaper El Heraldo reported Santamaria saying that thanks to law 1438, there is no need for the government to go to Congress for the necessary reforms announced last week.
According to the minister there are five main areas that will be changed which will allow for a comprehensive, universal, fair and intergrated benefits plan not based on lists of permitted treatments.
Santamaria asserted that medical attention will be guaranteed for all. “We guarantee to cover every sick Colombian,” reported newspaper El Pais.