Argentina
Argentina has a three-tiered healthcare system. Public healthcare is available and is widely accessed by Argentines; it is financed through the taxes paid to the federal government. Private healthcare is also available and is funded by insurance plans that are voluntary for citizens. Most private health institutions are small; in total, over 200 different service providers operate in the private sector. Approximately two million citizens access services in the private sector. Finally, a social security sector offers healthcare through compulsory insurance plans. This sector is managed by an organization called Obras Sociales, which represents many worker’s unions in Argentina. Statistics and quality monitoring of all three systems is conducted by the Ministry of Health.
Healthcare Spending
In Argentina, 8.5% of the national GDP is spent on healthcare. Per capita, that amounted to $1,551 USD in 2012. This amount is higher than neighboring Brazil, but lower than other countries in the South American region, such as Chile. It is well below the average for the Americas region, which is more than $3,500 USD per year. Argentina ranks 60th in the world in terms of the percentage of the GDP spent on healthcare.
Availability of Care
Argentina boasts a high number of physicians in comparison to most countries in the world. The CIA World Factbook indicates that there are 3.16 physicians per every one thousand people. That figure is higher than neighboring Brazil (1.89 physicians/1000 people) as well as other more affluent countries such as the United States (2.42 physicians/1000 people) and Canada (2.07 physician/1000 people). Hospital beds are also in adequate supply. There is approximately one bed for every 222 people.
Life Expectancy & Mortality
Life expectancy in Argentina is reasonable, at 77.51 years. This figure is lower than many countries, some of which crossed the 80-year-mark years ago. Compared to the rest of the countries in the world, Argentina ranks 66th for life expectancy. Neighboring countries with similar incomes, such as Chile, have higher figures. However, many neighboring countries, including Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Venezuela, and Colombia all have lower life expectancies than Argentina.
Other Issues
Argentina’s healthcare system has been described as lacking and inequitable. Economic crises in recent years have exacerbated this problem, leaving the current system teetering on three legs. The largest problem is affordability of healthcare, especially in the region’s poorer regions. Although the three-tiered system was designed to make healthcare accessible and affordable to all members of the population, including ethnic groups and the poor, the different avenues to care do not necessarily overlap. In addition, loopholes that prevent individuals from accessing care exist. Combined, these problems have led to a healthcare crisis in the country. As Argentines begin to feel discouraged, analysts have looked to the social security sector to pinpoint responsibility. While the Obrias Sociales has been in operation since the 1970s, they have functioned without accountability to the general public. Since enrollment in the program was mandatory, the quality of the medical service took a backseat.