2024-10-29 15:31:00
Following the government’s decision that only licensed doctors prescribe prescriptions, Adolfo Rubinstein underlined that “There is no operational capability or information system that can support this decision.”. He also confessed to feeling disappointed by the closeness of some radicals to the government and supported the statements of the Hon Lilita Carrio, who stated that voting in the next elections must be moral. “It reminds me of Menemism, where people were very satisfied with the progress of the economy but there were moral and ethical issues that could not be accepted”expressed in Fontevecchia modeOf Television network, Radio profile (AM 1190).
Adolfo Rubinstein is a leading doctor of the Radical Civic Union. He was the nation’s Minister of Health during the Cambiemos Government.
We were discussing this measure according to which only doctors registered in those plans that do not provide reimbursement can be the ones who prescribe drugs to get discounts, both in prepaid medicine and in social works. Is this feasible, taking into account that the number of registered doctors has been decreasing over the years? Here they told me that a person from our production, being a journalist, noticed on the spot and made an appointment on his prepaid plan so that a registered doctor could write his prescriptions and got an appointment only for March of the year next.
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I think it is not vital.
I was rereading the published resolution of the superintendence and it is not very clear, because in reality it aims, in principle, to high priced drugs that the superintendency usually reimburses social works or those that have a prepaid agreement, but in reality it is not very clear in the resolution. In principle this would apply to all prescriptions, which is unachievable. For all outpatient medications… Imagine.
I think so there is no capacity operating or information system that could trap
How do you see the management in this almost year of government of La Libertad Avanza in terms of public health?
It is clear that public health It is not a priority for this government. They have said, from the president on down, that the priority is to control inflation, reduce the fiscal deficit, and not just social policies, except for a few specific ones. Neither health nor education are priorities of this government. In fact, every day we hear that all national hospitals will be transferred to the provinces.
Just today I published an article about making decisions without adequately calibrating the consequences they have, and I think that’s what’s happening in general. It seems to me that there is a lack of meditation and reflection on the implications and consequences of the measures adopted.
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Do you find any point of contact between some of the ideas of La Libertad Avanza and those they might have in the hard wing of the PRO? Do you see that unlike the experience with Cambiemos, when the radicals put brakes, balance and reasonableness on the measures, now with La Libertad Avanza, without brakes, these errors are being made? I don’t know if there is any comparison, given your experience as Minister of Health in a coalition…
What if. Clearly, in the coalition, in Together for change, there were different points of viewbut the picture was totally different. I think so what has changed now is the picture. That’s basically all it has to do with preaching against the current statewhich is obviously a reaction against what we had before. The truth is that it is not good to be at both extremes, and that is what is happening now.
When I was a minister there were obviously different points of view in our coalition, but There were things that weren’t discussed.
Likewise, what catches my attention is the lack of reflection on the measures taken. since some measures that are being adopted are not conceptually bad, what happens is that they present serious problems how they will be implemented.
The how, not just the what…
The problem is not just what, but also how.
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And what happens to you when you see the radicals closer to the Government? Do you feel something in your soul or a certain moral pain?
Yes, definitely I’m very disappointed.
I’m quite far away. The reality is this I went back to my life academicwhich was my whole life until I went to the Ministry, as well as maintaining my lifelong sympathy with radicalism. I now lead a center for health policy implementation and innovation at a highly regarded academic institution, such as Institute of Clinical and Healthcare Effectiveness. I dedicate myself to this and I am quite far from politics and radicalism. But yes, I see with very disappointing what is happening within the party. It seems to me that this implosion of politics is happening at all levels, and the truth is this it makes me very sad.
The other day I heard Lilita Carrió, who has some eccentricities but is also very sharp, say that next year the vote would be “moral”. He explained that the economy could probably achieve macroeconomic successes such as an affordable dollar and low inflation, so, at least for a higher part of the middle class, one can live a summer, but nevertheless the vote should be moral. It reminds me a lot of Menem’s first vote, when the question was how to vote for the economy but against corruption. This is how to vote in favor of
Exactly, I agree with Lilita. It reminds me a lot of Menemismo, where people, or a significant sector of the middle class, very satisfied with the progress of the economy, but it was there moral and ethical issues that could not be ignored or accepted. The same thing happens here. At least the same thing happens to me.
Here you have a group of people who think like you. I don’t know if this comforts him.
Interviewer (Time.news editor): Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Adolfo Rubinstein. Let’s dive right into the pressing issue of the government’s recent decision to limit who can prescribe medications. You’ve stated that there’s “no operational capacity or information system” to support this change. Can you elaborate on that?
Adolfo Rubinstein: Thank you for having me. The core of the issue lies in the existing healthcare infrastructure. The government’s decision is aimed at restricting prescriptions to licensed doctors who are registered in specific plans that don’t provide reimbursements. However, the reality is that the healthcare system is already stretched thin, and the reduced number of practicing doctors means many patients will face significant delays, potentially waiting months for necessary prescriptions.
Interviewer: That sounds concerning. You mentioned that someone from your team had to schedule an appointment for a full year later. How do you see this affecting patient care?
Adolfo Rubinstein: It’s worrying, to say the least. If patients cannot access timely prescriptions, it will exacerbate health issues, particularly for those with chronic conditions who rely on consistent medication. The idea that we would apply this restriction to all medications—especially given the unclear guidelines of the resolution—seems impractical and ill-conceived.
Interviewer: You have a unique perspective as a former Minister of Health. Over the past year, how do you evaluate the current government’s approach to public health compared to your experience?
Adolfo Rubinstein: It is evident that public health is not a priority for this government. Their focus appears to be solely on controlling inflation and reducing the fiscal deficit, while health and education continue to take a back seat. When I served, there was an understanding that all sectors, including health, needed to be balanced within our policies. The current administration seems to lack that vision.
Interviewer: Reflecting on the coalition government you were part of, do you see parallels between that and the current government’s alignment, particularly with La Libertad Avanza?
Adolfo Rubinstein: There are significant differences. In our coalition, there was a spectrum of viewpoints within our discussions, and we often found common ground. The current dynamics, however, seem to tilt towards extremism, lacking the balance and reasonableness that we once practiced. It’s troubling to see such a polarized approach, especially with critical policies that affect citizens’ lives.
Interviewer: You’ve also expressed disappointment in how close some radicals are to the government. Does this reflect a broader moral crisis you perceive in politics today?
Adolfo Rubinstein: Yes, absolutely. I share the sentiment expressed by Hon. Lilita Carrio regarding the need for moral integrity in voting. It reminds me of past administrations where economic satisfaction was prioritized over ethical considerations. We are witnessing a similar pattern today—policy decisions are being made without adequate reflection on their long-term consequences.
Interviewer: Given all these concerns, what do you think should be done moving forward to address these pressing health care issues?
Adolfo Rubinstein: We must return to a model that places health and education at the forefront of government priorities. This involves revising the current prescription policies, ensuring healthcare access is equitable, and reflecting on the consequences of any regulatory changes. It’s crucial for us to have a government that listens to healthcare professionals and weighs the social implications of its actions.
Interviewer: Dr. Rubinstein, thank you for your time and insights today. Your experience and perspective shed important light on the challenges facing public health in our country.
Adolfo Rubinstein: Thank you for having me. It’s essential that we continue to advocate for a healthcare system that truly serves the needs of the people. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss these critical issues.