Mirada a los Sistemas de Salud de Chile y Costa Rica, Frente al Modelo Colombiano.

Abstract

The purpose of this document is to analyze, compare and understand the Health Systems of Chile and Costa Rica based on their structure, financing, goals and challenges, trying to have a broader vision at the Latin American level of the health systems compared to what is happening in Colombia currently. The Colombian health system is divided into two large regimes, the subsidized and the contributory, and it is a system that faces great difficulties in relation to equity, allocation, management and distribution of resources to the sector; given the constant episodes of corruption that directly affect access to services, as well as the lack of public policies that generate an impact on society. In contrast, Chile manages a mixed health system, with a combination of public and private care, public care provided by the national health system, covering most of the population, while private services can only be accessed by people who They have the resources to acquire them. Financing comes mainly from mandatory contributions from workers and employers, as well as out-of-pocket expenses, becoming a barrier to access to care for the lower-income population. On the other hand, Costa Rica has a public and universal health system, financed mainly through taxes and social contributions, guaranteeing the most equitable access to health care for the entire population. Despite these differences, both countries face common challenges, the first factor being the quality of care, resource management, equity in access to health services, improvement in infrastructure, and socioeconomic inequalities and inequities, aspects that must be improved and strengthened.