Colombia struggles with health reform

Recent healthcare reforms in Colombia are putting doctors under unprecedented pressure because extra resources have not been provided to cope with the changes.

The Colombian government introduced its “100 law,” which aims to provide healthcare coverage for 100% of the population, just over a year ago. Before the changes most of Colombia's 36 million people were too poor to enrol with one of the 40–50 health maintenance organisations. Now, in theory, everyone can and is expected to sign up with one. Those in employment usually get their premiums paid by their employer. Those …