Argentine President Javier Milei's government is requiring nonresident foreigners to pay for non-emergency care at federally administered hospitals. File Photo by Matias Martin Campaya/EPA
BUENOS AIES, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Argentine President Javier Milei's government is requiring nonresident foreigners to pay for non-emergency care at federally administered hospitals as part of an effort to reduce public spending, prioritize state resources for residents and combat what officials call "medical tourism."
The new regulations announced by the Health Ministry implement previous changes to Argentina's immigration law and establish procedures that federal hospitals must follow when treating nonresident foreigners, allowing them to charge for medical services provided to those patients.
The measure announced Tuesday is part of a broader Milei administration policy to change the conditions under which foreigners can access certain public services.
Under the new rules, any foreigner who does not have permanent residency in Argentina must provide proof of health insurance with sufficient coverage or pay 100% of the estimated cost before receiving routine or scheduled medical care at federally administered hospitals.
