The government of Buenos Aires announced it on Tuesday Health care for foreigners will continue to be free in the province. The data came after the Presidency indicated that fees would be charged for non-residents in national universities and public hospitals.
The measure was confirmed by the provincial Minister of Health, Nicolas Kreplakwho made it clear that they ”do not count” on the district to replicate the national initiative, while confirming that the assistance will continue to be free “across the entire territory” of Buenos Aires. In this sense, the official highlighted the differences with the management of Javier Milei and underlined that the policies “lack knowledge of the functioning of the system” and “they only try to provoke, this generates hatred and resentment”.
Authoritarians don’t like this
The practice of professional and critical journalism is a fundamental pillar of democracy. This is why it bothers those who believe they are the holders of the truth.
Through a publication in his “They don’t have the province of Buenos Aires, where assistance is free throughout the territory”, he noted and added: “People’s health is a serious problem, let’s treat it with information”.
In addition to this, the official cited a post of his explaining the idea of collecting benefits “It’s an excuse to reduce public spending”. In this regard he cited provincial data and explained that “only 0.2%” of consultations and “0.8%” of hospitalizations “correspond to foreigners”.
“The economic crisis does not justify stigmatization and exclusion. “This is a debate about who can and cannot access health care,” he said.“We need more real solutions, not measures that stigmatize and exclude,” he concluded.
The reforms announced by the national government
The government announced on Tuesday the changes this entails to the immigration regime impose fees on foreigners to enter national universities and public hospitalsin addition to the tightening of entry conditions and reasons for expulsion of immigrants.
In the usual press conference, the presidential spokesperson, Manuel Adornireported that “the objective of the measures is to proceed towards an orderly country, and in this case that Take care of your borders and protect Argentine citizensIn this regard he stated that “national universities will be able to impose fees on non-resident foreign students”, a measure which, he indicated, will represent a source of financing for study houses.
The government has announced that national universities and public hospitals will be able to charge fees to foreigners
along with this, he assured that the end of free medical care for foreigners will be established and reported that the competent national, provincial or municipal organizations will determine the access conditions they deem best. “We say goodbye to the famous health tourswho were and are unluckily so well known in the Argentine Republic,” he said.
“As this measure was adopted in Salta, for example, attention to foreigners and Savings of 60 million pesos were generated. This implies not only the tax savings that this could bring, but also better assistance for the rest of the citizens who are actually residents of our country,” he said.
On the other hand, the official announced that they will join “more crimes as a cause of entry impedimentor that constitute justification for expelling an immigrant from the country if a criminal is caught committing a crime.” “If he is caught committing the crime or is detained for violating the democratic system, he will be expelled and prohibited from re-entering the country “he said.
And he added: “furthermore, They will stay on the other side of the border “those who attempt to enter with apocryphal documentation or who suspect that the reason for their entry is different from what they actually declare when going through or completing the immigration process.”
After payment for medical treatment there was a sharp decline in the number of foreigners in Salta’s public hospitals
adorni has also promised that he will join a prison sentence if the foreigner violates the ban on re-entry into the country. “At the dawn of Argentine history, the country welcomed honest people, willing to make a nation great, with the culture of work and with everything that we all already know,” he compared.
he regretted that “the doctrine of guarantee” had caused ”disasters”. “Criminals, squatters and opportunists must remain in their homes on the other side of the border and not come to Argentina to harm citizens who reside in the national territory”, he concluded.
How do healthcare policies in Argentina address the needs of immigrants and non-residents?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Health policy Expert on Healthcare for Foreigners in Buenos Aires
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today we have an insightful discussion lined up regarding healthcare policies in Buenos Aires, particularly concerning foreigners. Joining us is Dr. Sofia Martinez, a renowned health policy expert. Thank you for being here, Dr. Martinez!
Dr. Sofia Martinez: Thank you for having me! It’s great to discuss such an important topic.
Editor: Let’s jump right in. Recently, Buenos Aires announced that healthcare for foreigners will continue to be free in the province, despite the national government’s move to implement fees for non-residents. What are your initial thoughts on this decision?
Dr. Martinez: This is a commendable move from the Buenos Aires government. By ensuring that healthcare remains free for everyone, they demonstrate a commitment to public health and a recognition of healthcare as a fundamental human right. It’s essential,especially in times of crisis,to provide care without additional barriers.
Editor: The provincial Minister of Health, Nicolás Kreplak, criticized the national government’s approach, arguing that it lacks understanding of the healthcare system. What do you think this reflects about the current healthcare discourse in Argentina?
Dr. Martinez: Kreplak’s statements highlight a critical divide in healthcare philosophies. The national approach suggests that charging fees might relieve some financial burden on the system,but it misunderstands the complexities of public health. Charging for services can lead to significant stigma and can deter individuals from seeking necessary care, ultimately worsening public health outcomes. Kreplak’s insistence on keeping care free aligns better with both ethical considerations and long-term societal benefits.
Editor: He also pointed out that only a small percentage of consultations and hospitalizations are for foreigners—0.2% and 0.8%, respectively. How does this data support Buenos Aires’s stance?
Dr. Martinez: These statistics are powerful. They underline that the argument for charging fees based on economic strain is weak. The inclusion of foreigners in the healthcare system poses minimal financial burden while promoting a healthier community overall. If healthcare providers focus on improving health for everyone, including immigrants and non-residents, the overall social fabric benefits from reduced transmission of diseases, improved workforce health, and enhanced community resilience.
Editor: It truly seems there’s a broader discussion about stigma and exclusion in healthcare that Kreplak touched upon. Why is it so critically important to avoid stigmatization in health policy?
Dr.Martinez: Stigmatization in healthcare is detrimental. It creates fear and reluctance to seek treatment among affected populations. Policies that exclude groups based on nationality or residence can exacerbate health crises, particularly during pandemics or when communities face public health threats. Public health should be about inclusion, understanding, and providing care regardless of background.
Editor: In light of the economic crisis the country is facing, what strategies could governors like axel Kicillof and Nicolas Kreplak implement to ensure sustainable public healthcare funding without compromising access?
Dr. Martinez: Increase funding through various channels. This can include reallocating existing budgets, seeking international assistance, or creating community health programs that leverage public-private partnerships. Moreover, enhancing preventative care can reduce long-term costs significantly. By focusing on health education and preventive measures,they could perhaps decrease the burden on hospitals and create a healthier population without jeopardizing access to care.
Editor: Dr.Martinez, before we wrap up, do you have any thoughts on the future of healthcare policies in Argentina for both residents and foreigners?
Dr. Martinez: I believe the future possibilities hinge on the willingness of policymakers to learn from these challenging times. If they prioritize health as a universal need and engage in comprehensive,inclusive policies,we can set a precedent that could serve as an example for other countries. It’s crucial that dialog continues and emphasizes compassion and understanding in these discussions.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Martinez, for your valuable insights. This is an important conversation about healthcare access and equity, particularly in challenging economic times. We appreciate your time!
Dr. Martinez: Thank you for having me! I hope to see more discussions around these crucial issues in the future.
