Colombia’s government fractures under weight of radical health reform

More than 100 leading academics and researchers in Colombia have published an open letter opposing a radical health reform which has fractured Gustavo Petro’s government and sparked a series of senior resignations.1

The bill was proposed by Colombia’s first ever leftist leader in a bid to expand access to health services in rural areas, prioritise preventative care, and ensure better management of funds.

But the proposal—which would hand administration of healthcare funding from private companies to the state—has been met by fierce opposition from doctors’ unions, academics, and politicians from various parties.

The current bill would strip private insurance companies of their role within the system, while expanding visiting care in rural parts of the country, where coverage lags that in urban areas.

Opponents warn that the reform, which has sparked public protests both for and against, jeopardises a regionally successful model.

Roy Barreras, until recently a senator leading Petro’s coalition in congress, told El País in February that …