The Spanish government has approved a draft law favoring public health management and repealing the 1997 law that allowed for private healthcare models.
The Spanish government, led by the Minister of Health Mónica García, has introduced a draft law aimed at reinforcing the public management of healthcare in Spain. This new legislation will prioritize direct public management of the National Health System, effectively repealing the 1997 Law 15/1997 that permitted alternative management models. García emphasized that this initiative is a decisive move away from profit-driven private healthcare schemes, asserting that public funds should exclusively serve the public health sector.
During the Council of Ministers meeting, García highlighted the core objectives of this new law, which includes regulation pertaining to indirect management models. These models, which might still have a role in the system, will now require thorough prior evaluations by technical committees to ensure alignment with public health priorities. This step reflects a broader trend in Spain's healthcare policy that seeks to combat financial misuse and guarantee that public healthcare resources are utilized for patient welfare rather than profit generation.
Critically, this legislative move represents a significant shift in Spain's healthcare policy, aiming to solidify public health as a fundamental right while limiting the role of private companies in healthcare services. The implications of this draft law could greatly influence the operational landscape of the Spanish healthcare system and may set a precedent for similar measures in other regions, especially amid ongoing debates regarding the balance between public and private healthcare.
