Senate Health Committee Blocks Budget Cuts to Ministry of Health, Demands Accountability from Quiroz

Original article: “En salud no sobra un solo peso”: Comisión del Senado bloquea recorte al Minsal y exige explicaciones a Quiroz

The Senate Health Committee unanimously decided to block the proposed budget cuts by José Kast’s government for the Ministry of Health (Minsal), warning that in this vital sector for the public, «not a single peso is surplus.»

The legislative body, chaired by socialist senator Juan Luis Castro, not only rejected the cuts but also agreed to summon Finance Minister Jorge Quiroz to explain the implications of the measure and its potential effects on the public health network.

The reduction of over $413 billion in the budget set forth in Decree 333 from the Ministry of Finance was defended by Quiroz, who argued that «sometimes, with fewer resources, you achieve more.»

This call for the minister to appear before the committee comes amid rising political tension and criticism from various health and parliamentary stakeholders, labeling this cutback from La Moneda as unjustified and dangerous for the health system, as flagship hospitals would face significant reductions in resources, leading to impacts on waiting lists, staffing, supplies, and public care.

«In health, not a single peso nor a single worker is surplus»

During the session, Senator Castro emphasized that the Executive itself «created a problem» by pushing this resource reduction and stressed that there are no surplus funds or disposable personnel in the health sector.

«A serious problem created by him through his Finance Minister. What is it? Simply cutting health resources, because in health, not a single peso is surplus, not a single worker is surplus,» the lawmaker asserted, in comments noted by Bio Bío Chile.

His statements were supported by other committee members, who agreed that any budget reduction would directly impact the quality of care for the most vulnerable patients.

Communist Senator Karol Cariola questioned the coherence of the fiscal measures pushed by the right-wing president, contrasting the cut in health funding with benefits for the business sector.

«On one hand, they reduce 400 billion pesos from public health in Chile, and on the other hand, with the mega tax reform, they cut 400 billion in VAT for large real estate companies,» she criticized, highlighting the contradictions in the Executive’s priorities.

Independent Senator Ximena Órdenes warned that the “arbitrary” decision by Kast and Quiroz could affect the operations of hospitals in the coming months. «We cannot regress in social rights, we cannot regress in health,» she emphasized.

The committee’s broad rejection also resonated with health unions. The president of the National Confederation of Municipal Health Workers (Confusam), Gabriela Flores, praised the parliamentary body’s block against the cuts and the defense of funds allocated for primary care.

The appearance of Minister Quiroz, set for June 4, will be crucial to clarify concerns regarding the future of health financing.