San Luis sues IOMA over $485 million debt and challenges judicial recess

The Government of San Luis has initiated legal action against the Buenos Aires province health insurance institute, IOMA, seeking to recover approximately $485 million in unpaid debts. The lawsuit, filed through the State Attorney's Office and the Provincial State Social Work Directorate (DOSEP), covers outstanding claims for services provided to IOMA affiliates residing in San Luis since 2017.

Health Minister Teresa Nigra explained that the dispute stems from a 2001 reciprocity agreement that set a monthly per capita fee of $35 per affiliate, a rate that has never been updated. While a 2017 agreement intended to shift to a fee-for-service model, the Buenos Aires agency continued using the outdated historical sum, creating a sustained financial deficit for San Luis. Currently, San Luis hosts 425 IOMA affiliates compared to only 24 DOSEP affiliates in Buenos Aires.

Separately, the College of Lawyers and Procurators of San Luis has filed an unconstitutionality lawsuit against the provincial government's decision to reduce the annual judicial recess. The new law, approved by the Legislature, establishes a scheme of two weeks of recess in January and one week mid-year, set to take effect on December 31, 2026. The College argues the change negatively impacts the professional practice of law, annual rest for lawyers, and the organization of legal offices.