August 27, 2007
Problems at the Mexican Social Security Institute*
Presidency of the Republic
In a speech at the 98th Ordinary General Assembly of
the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), President Felipe Calderón expressed his pleasure at being able to attend the
assembly and personally congratulate the IMSS, as well as all IMSS workers, for providing health services to millions of workers.
He also congratulated members of the Social Security Units who won the IMSS Quality Award.
The president went on to explain that the IMSS was created
in 1943 to provide medical insurance for workers and their families. Since then, however, it has experienced a number of financial
problems that jeopardize its continued existence. In order to ensure IMSS continuity, the president called upon all involved
to propose solutions. He also instructed the IMSS Director General to continuing raising the standards of care for its members,
and he urged businessmen to pay their Social Security dues punctually. The president ended by saying, “My government
is firmly committed to supporting the workers of Mexico, reinforcing the IMSS, and ensuring its service for many, many years.”
* MexiData.info
note: The IMSS financial situation is more serious than suggested by the glossed over English excerpts from
the President’s speech, which has been known for some time. The following
is an additional snippet from the same speech (in Spanish): “Today, however, after more than 60 years, the IMSS is in peril, in serious danger, and it needs all of our support,
and all of our solidarity and understanding…. We are hearing blunt data
and figures from different delegations of the Institute that leave no room for doubt — the present day situation is
alarming.”
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(Press Release: Presidency of
the Republic, August 24, 2007, Mexico City)
– Presidency of the Republic translation; MexiData.info translation (edited)
