The president of the Colombian Association of Scientific Societies, Agamenón Quintero Villarreal, presented a right of petition to request the direct revocation of Resolution 2717 of December 30, 2024related to the definition of the new value of the Training Payment Unit (UPC) for 2025.
(See: Bad calculation by the UPC condemns health to start 2025 with a serious deficit)
This regulation establishes the increase in the UPC by 5.36%, a figure that according to the union leader is insufficient to cover the real costs of the health system. Quintero stated that this increase does not respond to the needs of the system and could put at risk the quality of the service offered to Colombians.
“The 5.36% increase calculated for the UPC in 2025 is below the real cost of health care. In this way, it is unsustainable for the country’s human health talent and for the system itself to offer quality service to all Colombians.”he declared.
(Read also: The inconsistencies detected by the Minsalud in the data reported by the EPS)
The petition also points out inconsistencies in the methodology used to calculate the UPC increase. According to the union leader, the report prepared by the Advisory Commission on Benefits, Costs, Rates and Conditions of the Health Insurance Operation lacks technical rigor. This document was rated as “unreliable” by the Vice Ministry of Social Protection, which reinforces the request for revocation.
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In addition, it requested the Ministry of Health to deliver the previous studies carried out to justify the increase defined in Resolution 2717. “In addition to the direct revocation regarding the definition of the new value of the Training Payment Unit for 2025, in the communication to the Ministry of Health we request that the previous studies carried out to estimate this increase be delivered in the manner established. Resolution 2717 of 2024, in order to be analyzed as soon as possible”he explained.
(Read more: Afidro warns that the UPC should have increased to 16.4%)
On the other hand, a study by the National Association of Businessmen of Colombia (Andi) warns that The increase in the UPC by 5.36% could generate a deficit of $10.4 billion in the health system during 2025. This situation, according to the study, would exacerbate the financial crisis facing the sector and would directly affect Health Promotion Entities (EPS), public hospitals and private Health Providing Institutions (IPS).
Besides, Increasing the minimum wage by 9.5% by 2025 poses an additional challenge, since only 10% of the UPC is allocated to administrative expenses, which is insufficient to cover these increases. This could lead to layoffs, cuts in services and greater access barriers for system users.
(See: Criticism grows against the increase in the UPC for 2025)
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Need for readjustment
The Colombian Association of Scientific Societies emphasizes that The health system is going through a crisis that cannot be ignored. To avoid further defunding, the union urges the Government to carry out a readjustment based on technical studies and a methodology that reflects the reality of the sector.
(Read: 5.36% increase in UPC deepens health crisis and aggravates impacts on patients)
“It is necessary to carry out a readjustment based on technical studies and deeply analyzing the reality of the sector, so that the system is not further defunded and could lead to a greater crisis.”, Quintero emphasized.
The right to petition also requests that clear mechanisms be established to evaluate the real costs of health care, avoiding decisions that could compromise the sustainability of the system and the quality of the service provided to Colombians.
(See also: Uncertainty in the health system by UPC calculation)
“An inadequate increase in the UPC not only impacts health institutions, but also puts users’ timely access to services at risk,” concluded the president of the Association.
