Javier Milei's government announced it will deregulate the healthcare system.

The Government of Javier Milei announced today that it will urge the provinces of Buenos Aires and Santa Cruz to regularize within the next 15 days the million-dollar debts they owe to the Nation for the operation of national hospitals and medical care services.

In a press conference held at the Casa Rosada, Manuel Adorni detailed the concerning figures that affect the quality of health services in these provinces, highlighting the impact this debt has on hospitals and their ability to provide adequate medical care.

The Milei Government seeks for both the province of Buenos Aires and Santa Cruz to take responsibility for the outstanding payments, with the aim of avoiding the interruption of essential services and the deterioration of healthcare infrastructure.

According to Adorni, Santa Cruz owes USD 66 million to the SAMIC Hospital in El Calafate, while the province of Buenos Aires faces an even larger debt.

In total, hospitals in this province owe USD 463 million, which includes the debts of five health centers: El Cruce Hospital in Florencio Varela, with USD 178 million; Bicentenario Hospital in Esteban Echeverría, with USD 21 million; Néstor Kirchner Hospital in La Matanza, with USD 4 million; Cuenca Alta Hospital in Cañuelas, with USD 38 million; and René Favaloro Hospital, also in La Matanza, with USD 22 million.

Adorni pointed out that this situation of "negligence" in debt management has direct consequences on hospital services, creating difficulties in paying salaries to healthcare professionals, shortages of medications, and the inability to perform proper maintenance of facilities.

Additionally, he warned that the lack of funds could also affect the quality of services, which could lead to a reduction in medical services, affecting thousands of patients.

The healthcare system is deregulated

Among these measures is the creation of the National Agency for the Evaluation of Healthcare Technology Financing, an entity responsible for deregulating the healthcare system by eliminating obsolete regulations and duplicate structures.

The goal is to reduce medication costs and ensure that only technologies with proven clinical benefits are incorporated into the system, preventing patients from undergoing unnecessary or harmful treatments.

Adorni mentioned as examples the initiatives implemented in countries like France and Germany, which managed to reduce medication prices at the public level, and stated that this approach will be replicated in Argentina. The creation of the new agency aims, among other things, to optimize public spending in the healthcare sector and ensure transparency in resource allocation.

Finally, the presidential spokesperson also reported that the Revenue and Customs Control Agency (ARCA) has implemented a new fiscal measure that will take effect on April 1.

From that date, all invoices issued by sellers of goods and services must itemize the cost of the value-added tax (VAT), a provision that, although previously applied to large companies, will now be extended to all entities, as part of the government's commitment to fiscal transparency.

Adorni emphasized that this new regulation will be an excellent opportunity for both provinces and municipalities to demonstrate their commitment to transparency, ensuring that the Milei government will be very alert to how these measures are implemented throughout the country.