The Health Sector in Argentina: Current Situations and Options for Improvement
The Argentine health sector faces the challenge of improving its performance and finding options for resolving its chronic problems of inequity, inefficiency and weak regulatory framework. These challenges have become more pressing in light of the country's economic and social crisis. The main objective of all efforts to reform the health sector should be to improve the health status of the population, especially the poorest and most vulnerable. The federal nature of Argentina and its marked heterogeneity constitute the framework within which reforms must progress. Thus, the role of the provinces in health sector performance is key. The national government is responsible for guiding, coordinating, regulating and providing incentives for provincial efforts to improve health outcomes. This includes guaranteeing that other sub-sectors (i.e. social security insurers) contribute to health sector goals, and that there are effective instruments and forums to inspire better provincial coordination and articulation. There are concrete options to improve the Argentine health sector's response to the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable. Options that stand out include: (i) strengthening the provincial health insurance function (for instance, by developing provincial public health insurance schemes); (ii) improving the management of public providers by linking financing to performance and avoiding cross-subsidies; (iii) ensuring the adequate functioning of the social security sub- system; and (iv) protecting and strengthening priority public health programs. The establishment of a solid framework for stewardship, regulation and sector dialogue will contribute to the advancement and sustainability of these reforms.