The same promise again?
Eduardo Clark García Dobarganes, an undersecretary of Health, announced that starting January 1, 2027, Mexicans will be able to receive care at the nearest public hospital, regardless of whether they are affiliated with the IMSS, ISSSTE or IMSS-Bienestar. They call it the new model of Universal Health Service.
Sounds good, right? The theory is brilliant: integrate the entire public hospital infrastructure and eliminate those absurd administrative barriers that force you to travel kilometers because your slip of paper says that you have another clinic.
“The universal health service will guarantee not only immediate care in emergencies, but also the continuity of treatment in the same hospital,” said Clark.
That is, they promise that if you arrive due to an emergency, you will stay there until you finish your treatment. No forced transfers. No extra charges for not being ‘from the house’.
The magic card (and the app)
The plan comes with a national credentialing process that would start in 2026. A unique identification to access medical services at any public institution. According to what they say, it will also serve as official identification for procedures and will gradually replace the IMSS and ISSSTE cards.
And of course, there will be a mobile application. To consult the digital credential, schedule appointments and access your electronic clinical record. Because in this country what is left over is internet coverage in all communities, right?
The phases paint an idyllic picture:
- 2027: Universalization of priority and emergency services.
- Second half of 2027: Exchange of specialized services between institutions (laboratories, MRIs).
- 2028: Universal prescription filling and open monitoring of chronic diseases.
They also talk about priority care for high-risk pregnancies, a coordinated national network for heart attacks and universal access to vaccination at any clinic.
Clark assures that the implementation will be gradual to guarantee sustainability. That word, ‘gradual’, always puts me on alert. In the official lexicon it is usually synonymous with ‘let’s see if it arrives’.
“We seek to make health a right closer to the population,” concluded the official.
The intention, on paper, is impeccable. Fewer transfers, better use of infrastructure, clearer rights. But one can’t help but look at the calendar: 2027. And remember how many comprehensive plans, unique systems and revolutionary models we have seen announced with great fanfare… only to be diluted in bureaucracy or die due to lack of budget.
Historical memory hurts: each six-year term brings its great health reform promised as the definitive one. I hope this time is different. Hopefully this unique card does not become another Kafkaesque procedure and the app is not just a nice prototype that never works outside of Mexico City.
In the meantime, let’s save this note. In 2027 we will read it again together.
