MUFACE, a gift from the State to the private sector that could have its days numbered – Nortes | Focused on the periphery

1.5 million civil servants receive health care outside the public health system through State agreements with private insurers. A contradiction, public servants contributing to the privatization of the health system, which could have its days numbered if Health keeps its promise to integrate civil servants into Social Security and terminate the agreement with MUFACE (General Mutuality of State Civil Officials).

Given the economic demands of mutual societies, the Ministry that directs Monica Garcia considers it viable for Social Security to take over the civil servants who currently receive private care, and has recalled that insurers already divert the most serious and costly cases to the public system.

The measure would mean significant savings for public coffers, as well as a reinforcement of the public health system. However, it has already encountered open opposition from the union CSIFwhich has announced strikes if the minister continues with the project.

In Asturias However, the measure has pleased other unions such as Teaching CCOO and SUATEA. The latter considers that “the State must end the financing model of private companies through concerts, which we reject in both education and health.” “The economic resources of the state are limited, and any diversion of public funds to private companies will always be to their detriment,” the union organization points out.

For its part, Borja Llorenteof CCOO of Teaching of Asturies has also advocated for a “gradual extinction” of MUFACE, although knowing that a transition period will be necessary.

Carlos Pontepresident of the Association in Defense of Public Healthwarns that companies will try to generate social alarm with the bankruptcy of the public system if all officials in the private system move to the public system. A fear that belies: “mutual members are active people, that is, young people with little health demand.” Ponte recalled that MUFACE retirees go to the public, as well as people with serious illnesses and expensive treatments, so the State’s savings by dispensing with the agreements will be much greater than the expenses it will have to assume for the new ones. users.