Palliative care in legal regulations on health in Argentina

Abstract

Purpose: The article reports the results of a survey on national and provincial regulations in Argentina referring to palliative care (PC) in order to determine how the integration of this care is verified in the laws, programs and health budget.

Design/methodology/approach: A survey of current regulations at the national and provincial level was carried out through the different legal search engines and the information was systematized in light of the recommendation made by the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care (IAHPC). in relation to the duties of governments for the integration of the PC in the health system.

Findings: 125 regulations related to PC were found, 26 at the national level and 89 at the provincial level. At the national level, from 2002 PC is included in health coverage, in 2012 PC is recognized as a right, in 2016 the organization of services is regulated and in 2022 Law 27678 is enacted that considers PCs as a model care, promotes access to medicines and the training of professionals. At the provincial level, there is legislation since 1999 for the creation of PC programs and from 2022 the adherence to the national law begins.

Originality/value: The work offers an updated and exhaustive survey, in relation to previous surveys, on PC regulations. It is also original in the way it systematizes the information based on the IAHPC recommendations.

Practical and social implications: The work makes it possible to identify good regulatory practices to facilitate access to PC, as legal regulation is one of the aspects that make up a public policy on the matter. The work also offers normative tools for health operators, patients and families, to know the rights in relation to access to PC.