Colombia and Argentina implement healthcare and social subsidy reforms

In Colombia, the government has launched a 'Plan de Choque' to address a healthcare crisis affecting over one million users with pending medications or procedures. President Abelardo de la Espriella announced an extraordinary debt purchase mechanism to prioritize high-risk patients. Simultaneously, authorities are auditing the Agencia de Renovación del Territorio and the Dirección de Sustitución de Cultivos Ilícitos due to discrepancies between committed budgets and physical progress in regional projects. The government is also working to ensure the payment of pension installments for late 2026.

In Argentina, PAMI is updating the income thresholds for its social subsidy for free medications starting in October. The new limits are tied to the minimum pensionable wage, with a cap of 1.5 minimum wages for most affiliates and three for households with a disability certificate (CUD). While the update adjusts for inflation, local councils have warned that new administrative procedures for accessing specialists have become more complex for elderly citizens. Additionally, political leaders in provinces like Chubut and Formosa have commented on the impact of national healthcare funding shifts and the importance of provincial support for vulnerable populations.