Health Care Law at Peru
Peru vs U.S Healthcare System ... Peru's healthcare system is governed by a robust legal framework aimed at ensuring universal health coverage, protecting patient rights, and addressing public health challenges. Here's an overview of the key healthcare laws and recent developments:
🏛️ Key Healthcare Laws in Peru
1. General Health Law (Ley General de Salud) – Law No. 26842 (1997)
This foundational law establishes the framework for health protection and promotion in Peru. It covers:
Health System Organization: Defines the structure and functioning of health services.
Public Health Measures: Includes provisions for vaccination, quarantine, and isolation during health emergencies.
Health Rights: Outlines the rights and responsibilities of patients and healthcare providers.
Regulatory Oversight: Establishes mechanisms for enforcing health regulations and penalties for non-compliance. (General Health Law | AMP EID)
2. Universal Health Insurance Law (Ley de Aseguramiento Universal en Salud) – 2009
This law aims to achieve universal health coverage by:
Mandatory Health Insurance: Requires all citizens to have health insurance.
Seguro Integral de Salud (SIS): Provides free health insurance to individuals living in extreme poverty.
Coverage Expansion: Increased health insurance coverage from 64% to 73% of the population. (Healthcare in Peru, Health sector reform in Peru: law, governance, universal coverage, and responses to health risks | Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Pública)
3. Health Sector Reform (2013)
Initiated to recognize health as a fundamental right, this reform:
Strengthened Governance: Enhanced the Ministry of Health's authority to respond to health risks and emergencies.
Infrastructure Development: Led to the construction of new health facilities and the expansion of existing ones.
Increased Investment: Tripled the budget for the SIS, improving health financing and service delivery. ([Health sector reform in Peru: Law, governance, universal coverage, and responses to health risks], Health sector reform in Peru: law, governance, universal coverage, and responses to health risks | Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Pública)
⚖️ Recent Legal Developments
Extension of Health Coverage to Migrants with HIV and Tuberculosis (October 2024)
Peru passed legislation to extend temporary health insurance coverage to migrants diagnosed with HIV and tuberculosis, allowing them to access healthcare services through the public health insurance system (SIS) while completing their immigration processes. This move aims to reduce barriers for migrant populations and ensure timely medical attention without the need for official residency documentation. (Peru approves groundbreaking law to extend health coverage for migrants with HIV and TB | UNAIDS)
Revised Classification of Gender Identity in Health Regulations (June 2024)
Following protests and criticism, the Ministry of Health announced it would no longer classify individuals who identify as transgender as suffering from mental disorders. Instead, the term "gender discordance" will be used for purposes of mental and behavioral health classifications eligible for care. This decision aligns with efforts to respect human dignity and promote inclusivity in healthcare. (Peru to stop labeling transgender people as mentally ill)
🧭 Healthcare System Structure
Peru's healthcare system operates through a decentralized model:
Ministry of Health (MINSA): Provides primary healthcare services, especially for the poor.
EsSalud: Offers social health insurance to workers in the formal sector.
Private Sector: Caters to a small percentage of the population.
Armed Forces and National Police: Provide healthcare services to their personnel. (Healthcare in Peru)
For more detailed information on Peru's healthcare laws and policies, you can visit the Ministry of Health of Peru's official website: https://www.gob.pe/minsa
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