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In a significant turn in the debate on the short Isapres law, the Constitutional Court (TC) has accepted the request presented by 17 pro-government senators against the parliamentary indication that proposed mutualization in the aforementioned project. This ruling has provoked positive reactions among these legislators, who believe that justice has been restored and a measure that could have had serious repercussions for the beneficiaries of the health system has been avoided.
The senator Juan Luis Castro, one of the parliamentarians who led the request before the TC, expressed his satisfaction with the body’s decision, highlighting that “justice, truth and reason have prevailed.” Castro emphasized the importance of protecting health pension contributions and assured that this ruling prevents third parties, outside the government, from accessing these funds. “The 2 million 800 thousand Chileans affiliated with the Isapres cannot be affected by debts of these institutions,” the senator stressed.
Furthermore, Castro pointed out that this ruling by the TC clears the way for the rest of the legislative process of the short Isapres law. He stated that any debate on mutualization is practically invalidated, unless the Executive proposes a different position, which he considers unlikely due to the clear position of respecting the debts contracted by health contributors.
On the other hand, the senator Yasna Provoste, who also supported the request before the TC, highlighted that “today justice is done.” Provoste stressed the importance of the Isapres complying with the Supreme Court ruling and congratulated those who represented the request before the Court on behalf of the center-left senators.
Provoste recalled the reason for the request presented in February, arguing the unconstitutionality of the parliamentary indication that proposed the mutualization of debts in Isapres. For the senator, this measure would have economically favored the Isapres to the detriment of people who have suffered excessive charges on their health plans for years. “Justice has made it clear that payment of these excess charges is required,” said Provoste.
In summary, the ruling of the Constitutional Court regarding mutualization in the short law of Isapres has been received with satisfaction by the senators who presented the request. This ruling not only protects health pension contributions, but also reaffirms the commitment to justice and the rights of the beneficiaries of the health system in Chile.
The right targets the government
He President of the Senate, José Garcíapointed out that “I find it difficult for the Executive to take the same concept of mutualization that was approved by Congress and that was the subject of the requirement in the TC.” He indicated that “I hope that, given this ruling of the TC – which, of course, , we must comply -, alternatives are sought, solutions are sought, in such a way as to be able to provide security and peace of mind that the entire health system will work better.”
Meanwhile, the Senator Sergio Gahona He pointed out that “the ruling indicates that it is a matter of social security and therefore, the exclusive initiative of the President of the Republic, what has to come now is for the Government to agree and be the one to present the indication in Congress, of “such a way to give viability and sponsorship to mutualization.” He added that “if the Government wants the system not to go bankrupt, it has to look for mechanisms so that this does not happen and a serious possibility is mutualization, now the decision is up to the Government, whether or not to accept mutualization.”