Policies to reduce inequities in the national social work system of Argentina / Políticas para reducir las desigualdades en el sistema nacional de obras sociales de argentina

Abstract

Argentina Health System is divided into 3 main sectors: public, private and social security. Social security is comprised of the National Institute for retired and pensioners (INSSJyP), Provincial Obras Sociales and National Obras Sociales, regulated by National Laws Nº 23.660 and 23.661. The Superintendencia de Servicios de Salud is the agency involved in the regulation of National Obras Sociales, sector that groups almost 300 insurance entities (called Obras Sociales),involved in health care of formal working sector, that represents more than 14 million people (35% of national population). The policies established by this Superintendencia works as an incentive towards integrated attention of people, carried out through tools aimed to reduce possibles symmetries of risk distribution among Obras Sociales, through a solidarity fund for redistribution. The following conditions where defined:-Catastrophic illnesses, understood by its low incidence and high economic impact, for which a procedure for financial support was established, defined by pathology and technology ("SUR" Refund System), with the premises to be transparent , agile, swift, ensuring access of beneficiaries to the coverage of these pathologies. Among the services that are covered, stand out those related to hemophilia, disability, HIV, Multiple Sclerosis, MPS.