Portrait of Javier Milei
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Javier Milei on Healthcare

Advocates privatization (strong)

Javier Milei's position on Healthcare is characterized by a strong preference for privatization and a significant reduction in state spending, consistent with his libertarian economic philosophy. As president, his administration has implemented deep cuts to the national health budget in real terms since taking office in December 2023.

These fiscal adjustments have directly impacted public services, including staff reductions at the Health Ministry and the suspension of crucial programs like those providing expensive medication to uninsured patients. The cuts also reportedly halted federal funding for immunization campaigns, leading to disruptions in vaccine access amid public health concerns like measles outbreaks.

Critics argue that Milei's reforms, which include lifting price controls on private health plans, worsen health inequality by increasing costs for citizens and favoring the private sector. The debate surrounding his healthcare approach centers on the tension between his goal of fiscal stabilization and the resulting erosion of public health services and access to care for many Argentinians.

Actions Taken

  1. Budgetary Cut
    The administration slashed the public healthcare budget by 48% in real terms since December 2023.
  2. Personnel Reduction
    Over 2,000 Health Ministry employees were fired, representing nearly a quarter of the ministry's workforce, with 1,400 let go in a single period in January 2024.
  3. Program Suspension
    Suspended early detection programs for breast and cervical cancer by gutting the National Cancer Institute.
  4. Agency Dissolution
    Suspended the DADSE agency, which provided prohibitively expensive medication to uninsured cancer patients and those with rare diseases.
  5. Funding Freeze
    Froze federal funds for immunization campaigns, disrupting vaccine deliveries to provinces.
  6. Deregulation
    Lifted price controls on prescription medication and private health plans, causing prices to spike.
  7. International Withdrawal
    Finalized Argentina's withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Key Quotes

He opposes abortion and euthanasia, and supports privatization in education and healthcare.

Political Positions Overview January 1, 2023 — Describes **Javier Milei**'s long-standing ideological stance on various social and economic policies.

Criticism

Claudio Mariani (Frente Nacional por la Salud de las personas con VIH, Hepatitis y Tuberculosis)

Warned that the budget cuts threaten an increase in the mortality rate for people with health issues, labeling the situation as 'planned genocide' for those sick.

Experts/Reports

Noted that the budget cuts risk eroding population health, while the lifting of price controls on private health plans caused prices to rise by 250% for medication and 118% for private plans.

ThinkGlobalHealth.org/Experts

Stated that the policy dilemma is that continuing Milei's reforms risks eroding population health, despite the goal of fiscal stabilization.

Medical Residents/Hospital Staff

Led to protests, including a 24-hour strike at the National Pediatric Hospital in September 2025 to protest healthcare cuts.

Comparison

The impact of Milei's healthcare cuts is contrasted with the long-term decline of the system, as experts acknowledge the current crisis is not just due to his administration.

  • Fiscal Stabilization vs. Health Protection: The national policy dilemma involves balancing Milei's pursuit of fiscal stabilization with the recognized risk of eroding public health indicators.