Salta government authorizes private firm to collect health system debts

The Government of Salta has issued Decree 618/2026, which authorizes a private company to manage the collection of outstanding debts owed by social security organizations (obras sociales) to public hospitals.

The initiative aims to recover funds owed to the province for the medical care of affiliates, addressing a financial crisis within the local health system. Under the new framework, the selected private firm will receive a commission based on the funds it successfully recovers for the province.

While the government intends for this measure to professionalize debt collection and ensure the sustainability of the sanitary system, the move has raised concerns regarding the role of the private sector in public management and the potential for increased service costs.