Colombian Congressman Roy Barreras confirmed that doctors would not face financial penalties for prescribing treatment not covered by the national health care plan, a proposed reform that had been fiercely opposed by the country’s medical community.
Caracol Radio reports that in a meeting between Barreras and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe a decision was reached to repeal the proposed reform.
“Fines for doctors will be eliminated. They will not be applied, neither will the pension and severance pay reforms, and these decisions will go through Congress with the support of the government. The president understood the concerns of the medical body and with this decision he confirms his support for the autonomy of our professional workforce,” said Barreras.
Uribe’s proposed healthcare reforms caused heated debate in recent weeks, with many of the country’s medical workers arguing that the executive orders should not pass because they are a violation of patients’ rights, and others questioning the legitimacy of the proposed emergency reforms.
