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“On the one hand, if someone dares to say that the fund has gone bankrupt, but on the other hand, the transfers are cut off, (that is) it hasn’t gone bankrupt, and they want it to go bankrupt,” says Representative Jonathan Acuña. Meeting with Minister Jocelyn Chacon
The Ministry of Health blamed the Ministry of Finance for cutting nearly 27 billion yen in transfers to the Costa Rica Social Security Fund (CCSS), during a hearing on the 2023 national budget.
This was done by the Chief Financial Officer of Health, Adrian Vega, who answered queries from MPs rather than the head of the authority, Jocelyn Chacon. Shakun did not comment on this cut.
It is the Ministry of Finance that determines the amounts of these transfers. We have consulted the reasons for making the reduction and were told that it is in compliance with the financial rule,” Vega said.
The Ministry of Health is hardest hit by the current government’s budget cuts, declining -9% compared to 2022.
The net loss for this next year is 31,053.9 million. That is, about 86% of the reduction occurred against CCSS.
During his appearance before the Treasury Committee, Health declined to give an account of what the level of impact would be on public health services.
Minister Chacon remained silent while discussing the matter. The CFO stated that the impact of the cut “pertains to the Fund”.
Broad Front MPs, Jonathan Acuña, and National Liberation MPs, Paulina Ramirez, responded to these assertions. Both have been described as “extremely dangerous” and “unjustifiable” for cutting CCSS.
“If someone dares to say that the caja is bankrupt on the one hand, but on the other hand, the transfers are cut off, (that is) it’s not bankrupt, they want it bankrupt,” said Acuña, referring directly to the statements made by the president. Rodrigo Chavez on the financial situation of the health institution.
Rep. Ramirez stated that health is a “fundamental and constitutional right.” Libertarian asked to give details about why there was an increase in items for purchase of equipment and transportation, during the CCSS cutoff. However, details of this information will be requested in writing, as the hearing with Health has been reduced to half an hour by the Treasury Committee.
The other biggest reduction discussed in the committee was the relocation of the tobacco control program. In this item, more than 2 billion yen has been reduced, as detailed.
Minister Chacon said after reviewing the cut data.
