Who wins and loses in the health reform process?

02:51 PM

On the night of last February 13, at an event held in the Plaza de Armas of the Casa de Nariño which started somewhat late due to the tardiness of President Gustavo Petro and which was marked by the symbol, The first of the three major social reforms was created Which was chosen by the leftist government, which is still in its infancy, And over the months, it will have significant political costs.

Health reform It was started by the controversial Minister of Health, Carolina Corcho, At a certain stage, it came to defend the initiative with so much momentum and stubbornness that it was accused of being the reason three months later, in May, for the disintegration of the government coalition.

Then came the difficult procedure in the Seventh Committee of the Chamber and the deep discussion in the plenary session, namely: Nearly ten months of study To a project rarely discussed in Congress. With days longer than seven hours, each of their articles was approved and submitted, Until this process closes with the approval of its final 21 points, among which are those that will abolish the EPS, which will be replaced by Health and Life Directors. In addition to determining how to move from one model to another, and developing new health prevention programs.

After the House plenary session left this week for the third debate in the Senate, there were many winners and losers left. Here is the analysis.

Winners

Alfredo Mondragon and Martha Alfonso

He, from the Historical Charter and she from Alianza Verde, were the spokes coordinators for the project and became the great advocates of the reform both in the Seventh Committee and in its long and complicated passage during the plenary session, where the representative Alfonso was challenged and he had to remain out of the discussion for several days.

Andres Forero

The former Bogotá councilman and today’s representative in the Democratic Center Chamber has established himself as one of the best members of Congress opposing health reform. His work was thus recognized even by the President of the Chamber, Andrés Kalle, who highlighted his extensive participation in the discussion. He participated in the entire discussion, with repeated amendment proposals, and was even in the meeting with President Gustavo Pietro. There is no doubt that Forero led the opposition.

Carolina Arbelaez

Another surprise among the opposition was that, despite being a member of the first committee, the Constitutional Affairs Committee, the congresswoman for Cambio Radical was a fierce critic of the project throughout its course in the plenary session of the Council. He is even higher than his colleagues in the Seventh Committee.

Catherine Goviano and Catherine Miranda

Both representatives in the Green Alliance Chamber, although they belong to one of the government parties, have broken away from this support to establish themselves as profound critics of health reform, even as evidence of a rift exists between the Greens, and they are now debating whether to remain supporters. government or moving towards independence.

Jennifer Pedraza

The student leader and sole representative of former candidate and former Senator Jorge Robledo in Congress, took the lead as one of the voices that opposed the health reform with its proposals and foundations, in its passage through the plenary session of the Council.

Andrew Street

The Speaker of the House of Representatives was among the other winners, as his strategy relied on giving all the necessary time to discuss the project, even though it was above many projects on the legislative agenda. He was also instrumental in consolidating the Petro government’s majority in the Council, starting with the Liberal Party, where it won the contest against the president of the community, César Gaviria Trujillo, whom he had always opposed.

Gustavo Pietro

He is the main winner of the game at the moment, although he was not tolerant and friendly to modify the core of the project, the President of the Republic managed to get the project voted on in the room amidst the uncertainty.

Historical Charter

Although there were difficult moments within the bench, the historic charter was loyal and steadfast to President Petro in approving health reform, although there are voices claiming that the government did not treat them well.

Losers

Alvaro Uribe

The former president and head of the Democratic Center is one of the defeated in health reform. Neither his meeting with in-depth discussions with President Gustavo Petro, nor his firm positions in recent weeks, succeeded in changing the decision of the majority in the chamber to approve the project.

Ivan Duque

One of the former presidents of the republic, who, despite his strong defense of the current health model, failed to convince many of his former allies to reject the reform.

Cesar Gaviria

Without a doubt, the main loser, although he announced from the beginning when the reform began the so-called “red lines of liberalism” for the project, their indicators were overshadowed by the vested interests of the liberal representatives.

You can also read: Congress condemns the alleged agreement in favor of EPS in health reform

Conservatives and U.S

These two matches were lost and drawn. They lost because although they were independent today, there were some of their representatives who voted for the reform of the government, but they tied because even though the rest did not vote for the reform, many remained to make a quorum.

The greens

The government party has shown that it is divided and that the reform in passing through the Senate will not be easy to gain the support of this party, because members of Congress are divided.

Jaramillo and Velasco

Health Minister Guillermo Alfonso Jaramillo and his colleague in the Interior, Luis Fernando Velasco, are more losers than winners. Although they managed to get positive votes for the project, their images were severely damaged. The opposition announced the submission of a memorandum of censure against Jaramillo for his mismanagement, and for Velasco, the voices of criticism did not stop due to the lack of leadership throughout the process.