The Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) would assume the financial liabilities prior to the publication of the decree, ensuring that the labor rights of the program's workers are not affected. However, without legal reform, the viability of the decree is compromised.
The main question lies in the source of funding to finance medical care for millions of uninsured people and to cover the payment of the Retirement and Pensions Regime (RJP) of the workers. There is a question of how the labor rights of the program staff will be ensured, given that the IMSS does not have the legal authority nor specific funding to care for the uninsured population, except in cases of national emergency.
The Technical Council of the IMSS is faced with two paths: to approve temporary rescues without federal backing or to demand a definitive solution. The possibility of transferring these costs to the mandatory IMSS regime is being considered. Additionally, the lack of specific funding endangers the financial stability of the Institute.
President Claudia Sheinbaum must act immediately by allocating resources to maintain the program while legal reforms are promoted to guarantee funding without compromising the IMSS reserves and protecting the labor rights of its staff.
The potential presidential decree will not definitively solve the funding problem; addressing the budgetary restrictions that threaten the continuity of the program and endanger thousands of workers and beneficiaries is necessary.
The Technical Council of the IMSS approved a temporary financial rescue in January using the Institute's reserves to sustain the program until March. It is suggested that the inclusion of the Program in the Ordinary IMSS would merely be a temporary measure that would postpone the crisis, compromising medical care and the stability of the social security system.
If the decree is enacted, it is expected that the IMSS will guarantee the payment of the payroll and the RJP of the program's workers. This responsibility legally lies with the OPD IMSS-Bienestar. For its viability, modifications to various laws are needed to establish compensation mechanisms among the different entities involved.
The relevance of the IMSS-Bienestar Program lies in its reach across 19 states, serving millions of people without social security. The lack of resources jeopardizes the hiring of medical and nursing staff, as well as other essential supplies for its operation. The financial uncertainty presents a difficult scenario that could worsen starting April if adequate funding is not guaranteed.
