Paloma Valencia criticizes the health of Colombians: “How will it be during the construction of the new system?”

While details of what the text of the health reform will include are emerging little by little, those from different political shores argue the doubts or certainties generated by the project, not a single definitive document is known.

For example, from the opposition, Senator Paloma Valencia referred to one of the aspects that disagreed with the idea led by the Minister of Health, Carolina Corcho.

“How many years does it take to build a health system? A health system is not the approval of a law, it is a difficult process that takes many years and many governments. What will the health of Colombians be like during the construction of the new system?”, he told via his Twitter account.

Likewise, he stressed a call that is shared by the opposition and that is heard from various experts: build on what has been built.

“Building a health system is not a one-government project, but a multi-government project. Colombia has taken generations to build its health system with great results. We ask the government not to destroy it. Build on what has been built. , Valencia said.

“One system cannot end while they build another”: Roy Barreras confirms his differences with health reform

This Wednesday, Senator Roy Barreras, President of the Congress of the Republic, participated in the Colombia 2023 Forum to talk about the reforms coming this year. Among them, he commented on the health reform led by Minister Carolina Corcho.

In the first place, Barreras assured that the health, labor, pension and energy transition reforms should be taken into account, but one of the principles President Gustavo Petro has reiterated since he took office.

“The key word that President Petro has mentioned since he took office is transition. I ask ministers, especially ministers, to pay attention to President Petro and create a transition model,” he said.

Barreras said he does not know the text of the health reform, as it has not yet been socialized by Minister Carolina Corcho. However, he talked about the points which have been made public.

“The health system should be reformed. I believe, for example, that vertical integration should disappear. I have told the leaders of EPS. That’s not to say destroy thirty years of knowledge in the system. Quality, audit, information,” Barreras said.

Furthermore, he assured that reforms should not generate “sudden ruptures” within the system, giving the example of a document on health sector reform.

“I read a document that says, according to the ministry, literally, ‘We are going to dismantle the system to create a new one.’ Very good. Maybe the new one is better, I don’t know why I don’t know the text, but you can’t perfect a system when you build one”. Added MP.

According to Barreras, it is a system with “failures and errors”, but has managed to ensure that families did not face financial problems when it came to paying for medical procedures during the pandemic.

“He has achieved, as Alejandro Gaviria, the minister controlling most health in Colombia, that no Colombian family has had to sell a house in the pandemic to be able to pay for an intensive care unit. The insurance system worked.” he pointed.

For reform, Barreras proposes reforming the system with what is good. “Of course, yes to health reform, but we must build on what has been built.”