Colombia's Senate Seventh Commission archived the health reform bill with eight votes in favor and five against, on the last day of the ordinary legislative session. This marks the second sinking of the initiative pushed by President Gustavo Petro's government. Reactions highlight concerns over the system's financial sustainability.
On December 16, 2025, Colombia's Senate Seventh Commission resumed the third debate on the health reform but archived it for the second consecutive time with a vote of eight in favor of archiving and five against. The government had attempted to revive the bill, which aims to redistribute EPS responsibilities and grant more powers to Adres, but faced hurdles over funding doubts.
Acemi's president, Ana María Vesga, reacted by stating that 'the Government failed to demonstrate the project's financial sustainability.' She added that after months of debate, no joint vision emerged among system actors, and stressed the need for immediate solutions like setting the UPC for 2026. Senator Norma Hurtado criticized the bill as underfunded, warning it would cause 'loss of lives, absence of treatments and medications'.
Interior Minister Armando Benedetti denounced on X the delay until the last day, accusing foul play 'with the health of Colombians in a dirty and cheap way.' Finance Minister Germán Ávila explained the resources: $112 trillion annually, including $44 trillion from the nation, $37.5 trillion from contributions, and $2.3 trillion from health taxes. However, Anif warned of risks in contributions due to over 50% labor informality and in taxes from reduced consumption.
The Health Ministry regretted the sinking, stating it blocks necessary changes and upholds a failed system that precarizes workers and affects remote regions. An appeal filed by Senator Fabián Díaz, signed by five lawmakers including Wilson Arias and Martha Peralta, seeks to revive the process in another commission or extraordinary sessions next year.
Parallel controversy arose over the 2026 UPC adjustment. Guilds like Andi and Acemi demand 15.6% to 17.3% increases, but the Health Ministry, based on EPS data, questions these, attributing the crisis to mismanagement: $2.3 trillion paid to deceased and drug overcosts. It accuses EPS of historical waste and failing to pay employer contributions since 2014, with the state covering an extra $32 trillion.
