Pandemic could facilitate Argentina healthcare reform

Significance

In June, Vice-President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner called for a comprehensive reform of the healthcare system. Against the backdrop of weaknesses exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the vice-president proposed to “rethink the entire healthcare system”. One of the proposed changes would see public, private and trade union-run health services integrated, a controversial plan that President Alberto Fernandez had earlier rejected.

Impacts

• The proposed reform would be popular with the vice-president’s supporters but less so with middle-class private healthcare users.
• The reform will raise tensions with trade unions, which currently control their members' healthcare contributions.
• Provincial authorities may resist the loss of control over public healthcare services and budgets.