in Neuquén Provincial Legislature Introduced a bill proposing a major change in access Non-resident aliens To public services in the region health and Higher education.
The initiative promoted by the representative Brenda Buccinese Follower Compliance blockit is suggested to implement Mandatory definitions For those who are in the province within the category of temporary residents or have an unstable residence permit, as stipulated in National Law No. 25871.
The central axis of the project lies in a decision Fees for providing public health and higher education services For foreigners who have not obtained permanent residency. This measure responds, according to the author, to the need to protect provincial resources and ensure that funding for these services falls mainly on those who regularly contribute to the maintenance of the system.
In April last year, the Together for Change (PRO-NCN) bloc in the aforementioned province introduced a bill providing for this He sought to impose fees on medical care for foreigners, Both tourists and temporary or unstable residents. The initiative was promoted by the MP Veronica Lichter.
The proposal states that funds raised through these fees will be used for construction Two special boxes: One for health and one for education. he Special Fund for Public Health It will be fed by the income generated by the imposition of fees on foreigners and its exclusive purpose will be to finance care and services in hospitals and regional health centres, the acquisition and maintenance of medical equipment, the training of personnel and the improvement of the quality of health. The text explains that these resources may also meet other needs of the public health system determined by the regional executive, through the Ministry of Health or its replacement body.
And in the educational field Special Fund for General Education It will be compatible with the fees imposed on foreigners in higher education institutions, higher technical institutes and training institutes in the governorate. These resources will be used exclusively for operating expenses, building improvements, equipment and furniture acquisitions, and other expenses for educational purposes, and are expressly prohibited from being used to pay salaries.
The project considers exceptions in cases Urgent or medical emergencyas well as for Victims of human trafficking, refugees and asylum seekers. In these cases, the province guarantees the provision of health services, although the health authority may request reimbursement of the expenses incurred. The articles clarify that in these cases, the provisions of Law No. 3431 will be applied in a complementary manner, to the extent that they are relevant.
In addition, the initiative enables the regional executive to celebrate Reciprocity agreements With other countries. The goal is to ensure that Neuquén residents receive free health care during their transit or temporary stay in countries with which these agreements are signed. In such cases, foreigners covered by Article 1 will be exempted from paying fees in both health and higher education.
The administration and regulation of the law will be in the hands of the ministries health and For education and human rights The region has the authority to dictate the necessary regulations for its implementation within its powers.
Regarding the foundations of the project, Representative Bushinis emphasizes the following: “The state cannot be an unlimited funder of services for people who do not actively contribute to supporting them.”. He also argues that the province’s public health and education system is funded by contributions from Nuequian and Argentine citizens, and that it is unfair for those who have not contributed or paid taxes on a regular basis to have free access to high-cost benefits. The legislator stressed this “The taxpayer’s resources may not be confiscated to support obligations that do not belong to him.”.
The text emphasizes that the proposal does not mean abandoning solidarity or humanity, because it guarantees care in exceptional cases and provides protection mechanisms for the most vulnerable groups. However, beyond these assumptions, the actor saw it “It is fair that those who are not part of the regional social contract pay for the services they request.”.
The establishment of allocation-specific funds is intended to prevent the dilution of pooled resources in the bureaucracy and ensure that they are allocated exclusively to improving infrastructure, equipment and supplies, without augmenting administrative structures or supporting existing spending. The project is presented as an act of order and budgetary rationality, under the principle that “The state should not and cannot be a universal free provider, but must ensure clear and fair rules that whoever uses the service pays for it.”.
“Neuquén Province has the right to protect its resources and ensure the well-being of those who actually produce them and support them with their efforts. Setting tariffs for foreigners in health and education is an act of fiscal justice, respect for taxpayers, and defense of freedom against the abuse of indiscriminate public spending.concluded Representative Bushinis between the arguments.
In February 2024, Govt Jumping Make it official to charge foreigners for health care. This action was made official by A Decree of Necessity and Urgency (DNU) She considers him an exception Emergency situationswhich It will continue to be guaranteed.
Another province that joined this initiative was: Mendozawhich since August 1 of last year has established its own collection system by decree, with the aim of recovering funds and strengthening the local health system. This procedure stipulates that costs must be covered by foreign patients themselves or their insurance, and applies to those classified as Transient or unstable residents.
in Holy Cross A similar measure was taken in April 2024 in response to the large economic deficit in the regional health system. Rates are adjusted according to the type of care and length of hospital stay, and seek to discourage non-contributory use of the health system by foreigners.
In mid-September, the Legislative Council Peachy Systems Law 6,116which was established in 2019 Health insurance system for foreigners. However, it was then halted due to the agreement signed by Argentina and Bolivia on mutual health assistance.
In March of this year, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires advertisement Imposing fees for medical care in public hospitals for foreign citizens Who do not have an Argentine ID card. Measure It does not include emergencies, which remain free.