Author: Octava Papeleta
Translated by: Leo Torres, a CSN volunteer translator
Edited by: Nora Walker, a CSN intern
Thousands of Colombians, voting freely throughout the country and informed through the Eighth Ballot are rejecting the current Social Security System, enshrined in law 100 of December 23, 1993, the reforms contained in the law 1122 of January 2007, and in the law 1438 of January 2011. Voices of protest and opposition have been raised against the government’s and Congress’ neglegence to preserve the life and health of all people in our country.
In the 19 years that Law 100’s has been in implementation, there have been countless violations of health rights, the loss of autonomy by health professionals, employment instability for workers and officials, labor intermediation, low wages, excessive red tape in accessing health care, walks of death (people dying while going from one hospital to another due to care denial), denial of drugs, procedures and supplies, and inequity in benefits between different plans. Some have had to use guardianship as a legal mechanism to access care, which means less continuity of care, all to the benefit of Health Promotion Companies, Pensions and Occupational Hazards (EPS-FP-ARP).
The Social Security System on risk prevention as defined in Law 100 was put power in the hands of occupational hazard administrators, for-profit entities, which are designed to deny coverage for occupational accidents and diseases as a means to increase their profits.
In the case of pensions, the Social Security System appropriates the workers’ contribution to private pension funds that profit from the large amount of money they raise, but does not guarantee the worker and his family a decent pension for old age, disability, or survivor benefits. This model was designed to break the average premium with defined benefits scheme administered by the Colombian Institute of Social Security, which is being dismanteled.
Given the above and given our right to exercise the sovereignty of the people, recognized in Article 3 of the Colombian Constitution and supported by the signatures appended, we demand:
• The repeal of Laws 100 of 1993, 1122 of 2007 and 1438 of 2011.
• Ratification of the fundamental human right to health and social security in the Constitution and law, and in the multiple cases in the Constitutional Court.
• The enactment of a public, universal, fair, equitable and comprehensive health system and social security structure without intermediaries, managed and financed by the state and monitored by the people, its primary constituent.
This statement binds the Colombian people and requires the national government to meet this request and to generate procedures, policies and legal mechanisms to achieve this goal. Otherwise the people and their organizations by their own mobilization will demand it.
Attached to this statement are 78,310 signatures of citizens over 14 years old and adults from the departments of Magdalena, Bolívar, Sucre, Cesar, Santander, Boyacá, Cundinamarca, Bogota, Tolima, Huila, Valle del Cauca, Antioquia.
July 26, 2012.
Location: none provided
Date Published: July 26, 2012
Source: octavapapeleta.org
Link: http://www.octavapapeleta.org/?q=node/40
(This translation may be reprinted as long as the content remains unaltered, and the source, author, and translator are cited.)