After a week in Buenos Aires, I have had the amazing opportunity to learn all about the country’s history, culture, and healthcare system. We have visited several hospitals, clinics, and universities, meeting with many important people who lead each sector.

Aside from just the healthcare system itself, we have learned that the way it is managed tells a story of what the culture values and how they think about healthcare. The system as it is known today was shaped by President Perón, who created many socialist programs benefitting the working class. The attitude of those better off in society (the rich, healthy, and young) would work to aid those who need more help (the poor, sick, and elderly). Everyone pays into the public health system through general taxes, even if they do not directly benefit from its facilities, which could be for various reasons.

In addition to a culture that values community and helping their neighbors, they also tend to favor populists in their politics. This impacts healthcare in a few ways, but one of them in particular is called the PMO. This is a list of the minimum amount of healthcare treatments that must be covered by any insurance provider (HMO). While the insurance system in Argentina is very different than in the US and very complicated, I can quickly summarize. In Argentina, anyone can receive care in the public system, get coverage through their work union, or get public coverage out-of-pocket or partially through work. In conclusion, if it is on the PMO, it must be covered for the patient through their coverage.

What can be very shocking to Americans, including myself, treatments on the PMO cannot be denied and must be free to the patient. However, this is not all of what is shocking. If the insurance tries to fight the necessity of a treatment, it is brought to court and a judge makes a ruling on the case. If the judge believes the treatment is necessary and should be covered, the insurance company has 48 hours to comply or those who work there can be sent to jail.