The Congress of the Republic is gradually advancing in this legislature to discuss health reform, an important project for the government of Gustavo Petro. However, uncertainty surrounds the date when the debate will resume amid a busy legislative agenda.
During the two plenary sessions of the House of Representatives that took place this week, the reform project made significant progress. Of the 143 articles that made up the presentation, 71 were approved amid criticism and controversy, thanks to the support of the majority required by the Government.
Busy legislative agenda
According to Andrés Calle, president of the Chamber of Representatives, next week the PGN for 2024 will be debated together with the Senate of the Republic.
The current legislative period ends on December 16, which in theory would give Congress a month and a half to continue and conclude the health reform debate. However, the political environment for the discussion will depend on the results of the regional elections.
On the other hand, there are many initiatives and bills that have not yet been discussed, and as the days pass by the legislative days become tighter, in the end the national project of the government may end up in the background, or be approved to push one button.’; The truth is that there is still a long way to go, considering that there are two pending debates in the Senate, where the Government currently does not have much support.
How was the discussion?
Martha Alfonso, speaker coordinator of the reform through the Historical Pact, talked about the progress made this week, emphasizing the importance of the country to know the arguments for and against health reform. Alfonso described the reform as a systematic approach that addresses various issues and establishes lines of investment.
Critics of the project consider it important to know the cost of its implementation before making a decision.
