21/07/2026 22:13 - Politica
July 21, 2026 - Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina
To understand this news, it is helpful to know that the Province of Buenos Aires is Argentina's most populated and largest economic district, surrounding the autonomous city of Buenos Aires. Managing its public hospitals and universities requires massive state funding. On July 21, 2026, a group of 19 legislators from La Libertad Avanza (LLA) and the PRO party presented a bill in the provincial Chamber of Deputies. The proposal seeks to charge non-resident foreigners for scheduled public healthcare services and provincial university degrees.
Led by Deputy Agustín Romo and supported by figures like Juanes Osaba and Alejandro Rabinovich, the initiative uses the migratory categories established by National Law 25.871. Its main goal is to prioritize local residents and manage public funds more efficiently, directing the new revenue to improve health and educational infrastructure.
Under this proposal, foreigners without permanent residency who require scheduled or routine medical attention would need to show health insurance, third-party coverage, or pay a fee. The collection would be channeled through the Organized Medical Care System (SAMO), avoiding new bureaucracy. The funds would go to the Provincial Health Fund to buy supplies and upgrade hospitals.
The bill is clear on protecting public health: no person will be rejected, delayed, or conditioned in emergency situations involving imminent risk to life. Cost recovery will only be processed after the patient is stabilized. Human trafficking victims, as well as vaccination campaigns and transmissible disease control, are also completely exempt.
Regarding education, the project asks provincial public universities to set tuition fees for non-resident foreign students. Each institution will define the amounts and payment methods through its superior councils, respecting their autonomy.
Because this is a provincial law, it does not affect national universities (such as the UNLP or the UTN). It would only apply to institutions under Buenos Aires jurisdiction, like the Provincial University of the Southwest (UPSO) and the Provincial University of Ezeiza (UPE).
The project includes a transparency clause: the Ministry of Health and the universities must annually publish the number of services provided, billed amounts, exemptions, and the destination of the resources, without revealing personal data. It also invites municipalities with their own health facilities to join the system.
If approved, the provincial Executive Branch will have 90 calendar days to regulate the law, publish the fee schedule, and set billing rules, ensuring an orderly and planned transition.
“We do not deny emergency medical care to anyone because life comes first, but it is time to end free services for non-resident foreigners in scheduled care or degree programs; every peso collected will go to equip our hospitals, improve emergency rooms, and invest in our universities.”
Alfredo S. Quiroga
