Colombian healthcare reform faces further hurdles

Significance

Government efforts to prioritise state-run and financed healthcare are deeply controversial in Colombia and have faced harsh criticism from political opponents. The bill passed with minimal changes, suggesting that the government bloc has held together, but it still requires approval by the Senate to become law.

Impacts

• Plans to centralise all Colombians’ healthcare information into a single public system within two years are highly ambitious.
• Criticism from figures such as former Health Minister Alejandro Gaviria could be particularly damaging.
• Further demonstrations, both in favour of and against the reforms, are likely in 2024.