Elections Politics ARGENTINA, ARIEL WAGENER, BUENOS AIRES, DADSE, FACEBOOK, HEALTH, HEALTH MINISTRY, LATIN AMERICA, LEGISLATION, MILEI, NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE, POLITICS, PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS, SOCIAL ISSUES, SOCIAL MEDIA, SOUTH AMERICA, TRUMP, WAGENER Omar El-Sharif June 18, 2025 0 Comments

Argentines Reeling from Health Care Cutbacks Amid President Milei’s Overhaul

Argentina is grappling with severe health care cutbacks following President Javier Milei’s drastic budget cuts, leading to a suspension of critical medication programs and a rise in demand for public health services. Patients, especially those with cancer, are struggling to access necessary treatments as millions have been pulled from the public health system. The reforms echo the health care strategies applied in the U.S., raising concerns about a shift to an insurance-based model.

Argentines are increasingly feeling the pressure from health care cutbacks driven by President Javier Milei’s aggressive overhaul of the public health system. Since taking office in December 2023, he has cut the health budget by nearly half in real terms, impacting countless patients. Those who once relied on government assistance for expensive medications now find themselves with fewer options and growing despair.

Facebook group chats once thought to be mere digital noise have become crucial lifelines for cancer patients like Ariel Wagener, who was diagnosed with leukemia. After the federal agency DADSE that funded his medications was suspended, Wagener’s situation deteriorated, leading to hospitalization. “All I need for my body to function is this medication, and Milei is saying, ‘There’s no money,’” he lamented. Some patients are turning to social media for leftover drugs from others in their community, revealing the desperation many are facing.

Milei’s cuts have not only affected cancer treatments but also led to the dismantling of essential programs, such as those aimed at preventing breast and cervical cancer. Immunization campaigns have been frozen, worsening access to vaccines at a time when Argentina is grappling with a measles outbreak. Meanwhile, the National Directorate for HIV, Hepatitis, and Tuberculosis has been significantly crippled, resulting in delays in testing and treatment for thousands.

Health professionals are sounding the alarm. María Fernanda Boriotti, president of Argentina’s Federation of Health Professionals, remarked, “We’re seeing setbacks we haven’t seen in decades.” The government has slashed medical coverage for retirees and lifted price controls on prescription medications, pushing costs up by an average of 250% for some essential drugs.

Amid these sweeping reforms, Milei’s administration maintains that the health system required addressing inefficiencies. Unlike the gradual changes seen in countries with established health care systems, the speed and depth of these cuts have shocked many experts. “In terms of the destruction of the state, we’ve never experienced anything like this, not even during the military dictatorship,” said Fabio Nuñez, a former HIV director who was among those dismissed.

As many turn to public hospitals, demand has surged. Buenos Aires facilities have seen patient loads increase by 20-30% since last year. This uptick combines with drug shortages caused by layoffs and mismanagement, overwhelming an already strained system. Patients like Silvana Mansilla are left waiting in long lines, only to find their medications out of stock. “Where’s the government? What are they doing about this?” she asked amid her frustration.

The plight does not end there. A lawsuit filed by advocacy groups points to at least 60 cancer patients whose deaths could be linked to the suspension of DADSE’s program. Often, patients like Alexis Almirón wait months for medications that could save them; Almirón did not receive treatment in time and died shortly after his request was made. His mother, Claudia Caballero, emotionally conveyed the profound loss, stating that her son never had a chance to make a choice about his life given the government’s inaction.

While Milei has not yet implemented a complete overhaul to transition to an insurance-based system, his moves toward reducing coverage and increasing costs signal a shift that draws frightening parallels to the United States. Experts worry that if the current trend continues, many Argentines may soon find themselves choosing between essential needs and life-saving health care.

The sweeping cuts to Argentina’s health care system under President Javier Milei have left many patients struggling to obtain necessary medications and services. With the health care budget slashed by almost 50% and numerous essential programs dismantled, the ramifications are dire. Cancer patients, once reliant on federal support, are now turning to community resources in a desperate bid for survival. As the system stands, experts fear that the health crises will only deepen amid increasing demand for public health services.

Original Source: abcnews.go.com