Government closes ANDIS and transfers functions to Health Ministry

The Argentine government announced the closure of the National Disability Agency (ANDIS) and the transfer of its functions to the Health Ministry, a move criticized by opposition in Congress. Cabinet Chief Manuel Adorni justified the decision for greater control and efficiency, amid prior corruption scandals in the agency.

On December 30, 2025, Cabinet Chief Manuel Adorni announced the closure of the National Disability Agency (ANDIS), a decentralized body, and the transfer of its functions to the Health Ministry. According to Adorni, this measure will allow 'stricter controls, transparency, and efficiency'.

The announcement occurs amid fiscal adjustments driven by President Javier Milei's government, which has cut resources in sensitive areas like disability without detailed evaluations. Previously, the executive froze assistance to disability system providers, vetoed an emergency law, and despite Congress's rejection, chose not to comply. Last week, legislators excluded from the 2026 Budget an article aiming to end the emergency.

The closure follows scandals involving ANDIS. In July 2024, Adorni presented a fake dog X-ray to claim fraud in disability pensions, which did not prevent his promotion. Additionally, audios from the agency's former head, Diego Spagnuolo, revealed a corruption scheme benefiting a well-known pharmacy and the president's sister, Karina Milei. The judicial investigation proceeds at a steady pace.

The opposition, led by Unión por la Patria (UxP), rejected the decision and introduced a Declaration project in Congress, questioning its impact on people with disabilities. Critics see the closure as an attempt to erase the symbolism of cuts and corruption linked to ANDIS, likening it to the saying 'dead the dog, ends the rabies'.

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