Argentina Freezes Disability Payments as Judge Orders Restoration
A federal judge ordered payments restored after cuts halted therapy and education services for an estimated 5 million people with disabilities.
- On May 18, a federal judge ordered the Argentine government to restore frozen disability payments within 72 hours, citing that service interruptions generate setbacks in development for people with disabilities.
- President Javier Milei defends the cuts as necessary to maintain Argentina's first budget surplus in decades, arguing that implementing a disability law passed last year would cost roughly 0.35% of gross domestic product.
- Disrupted services affect an estimated 5 million Argentines. At day center Andar, 30% of 150 participants lost transportation; Martin Lucero, legal representative, said, "The only solution can't be cutting off a person from a space they need for their development."
- A bill awaiting congressional debate would formally dismantle the state payment system, empowering private insurance and provincial governments to negotiate rates while restricting benefits to those classified as having permanent disabilities.
- Rights groups estimate up to 50 therapeutic centers have shut down this year across rural provinces, while officials allege widespread fraud including fabricated medical tests and critics point to high-level kickback scandals.
10 Articles
10 Articles
Austerity Measures Threaten Disability Services in Argentina
In Argentina, President Milei's austerity drive is jeopardizing essential services for the disabled. A freeze on government payments has forced many therapeutic centers to close, impacting those who rely on these services. A new proposed bill could further restrict funding, sparking backlash from rights groups.
Associated Press News
Under President Milei's austerity, disabled Argentines risk losing essential services
President Javier Milei of Argentina has cut funding for therapy programs for people with disabilities, affecting an estimated 5 million people.
Analía Celis is 34 years old and lives with intellectual disability and cerebral palsy, which prevents her from walking, but sports therapy relieved her muscle tension. She can’t work, but baking gave her a sense of independence. She finds it hard to talk, but painting with her peers helped her connect wordlessly.
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