Deputy Bassa Accuses Kast of Falsely Promising No Social Cuts as Health Ministry Faces Over $413 Million Reductions

Original article: Diputado Bassa: «Kast mintió cuando dijo que no habría recortes sociales, hospitales de San Antonio, Valparaíso y Viña del Mar sufren recortes en más de $1. 000 millones cada uno» Deputy Jaime Bassa (Frente Amplio) criticized the budget cuts to the Ministry of Health implemented by the Kast administration, totaling $413. 193 million, which significantly reduce funding for public hospitals across the national network.

«Kast lied when he said there would be no social cuts,» the parliamentarian stated, referencing a post from The Clinic that highlights how the cuts «disproportionately affect the Undersecretariat of Health Networks, resulting in a budget reduction of $147. 715 million, equivalent to 11% of what was allocated in the law for this year. » This budget is specifically for the public hospital network in Chile: «Hospitals in San Antonio, Valparaíso, and Viña del Mar are suffering cuts of over $1 million each.

None of them have excess resources,» Bassa asserted, condemning the «indifference» shown by the Kast administration regarding this issue. Meanwhile, Senator Karol Cariola (PC) detailed that the cuts implemented under Decree No. 333 from the Ministry of Finance will impact 8 public hospitals in the Valparaíso Region, totaling $8.

117 million. According to the data, the hospital budget cuts will affect the Hospital of Quilpué by $1. 517 million; Dr.

Gustavo Fricke Hospital by $1. 483 million; Carlos Van Buren Hospital by $1. 274 million; Biprovincial Quillota-Petorca Hospital by $1.

209 million; Claudio Vicuña Hospital in San Antonio by $1. 079 million; San Camilo Hospital in San Felipe by $768 million; San Juan de Dios Hospital in Los Andes by $467 million; and Dr. Eduardo Pereira Hospital by $319 million.

In this context, the senator questioned how these reductions could occur while the Executive promotes its tax reform: «Indeed, we realize that the budget cut amounts to $400 billion, equivalent to what will be reduced from large real estate companies during the mega-reform. Unfortunately, what is being put at risk today is the health of all Chileans,» Cariola stated. Lastly, the PC senator described the Kast government’s measure as «unusual,» recalling that in 2025, the health budget had to be supplemented by nearly $2 trillion.

«This only affects ordinary citizens, those who rely on public health services. It is inexplicable that a government claiming to be committed to the people is ultimately turning its back on the poorest in our country,» the parliamentarian criticized. We will keep you informed.