Overview

• The Senate is debating a bill that declares a pediatric emergency to unlock national support for Hospital Garrahan after the project received committee approval.
• Carmen Álvarez Rivero apologized on the Senate floor for saying children do not have a right to be treated at the Garrahan, calling the phrase unfortunate and offering to meet affected families.
• She maintained her broader position that health care is primarily a provincial responsibility and argued the hospital serves a majority of patients from Buenos Aires and the AMBA.
• Luis Juez, referencing his daughter’s past treatment, said the hospital deserves whatever funding it needs and announced he will vote in favor of the emergency measure.
• Garrahan is widely recognized as a high-complexity pediatric referral center for patients from across Argentina, which supporters say underscores the need for temporary national funding.