The Government of the Argentine province of Salta, bordering Bolivia, Paraguay and Chile, decided to start charging for health care for foreigners with certain categories of temporary residence, who until this decision received free assistance in northern Argentina, reported this Thursday official sources.

The governor of Salta, Gustavo Sáenz, signed a decree that establishes that foreigners who belong to the categories of temporary residents (tourists, passengers in transit, seasonal or academic migrant workers) and precarious residents (residency applicants during their admission process) must contribute to the expenses generated by their health care in provincial health centers, either individually or through health insurance.

“This measure seeks to guarantee the solvency of the Salta public health system,” indicated a statement from the provincial government.

The decree provides that health care for foreigners in cases of urgency or emergency may not be denied or restricted, but determines that the provincial State will subsequently arbitrate the necessary means to collect the expenses incurred.

The geographical position of Salta – bordering Bolivia, Paraguay and Chile – means that it “regularly and constantly” receives “a large number of foreign people requesting health care”, to whom it has “provided a quality service until now.” and free”, “to the detriment of nationals who often have to postpone their care due to the collapse of the system,” according to the source.

Foreigners in Argentina are grouped into four categories of residents: permanent, temporary, transitory and precarious, so permanent and temporary residents are provided health care equally to nationals, because they pay taxes.