New Health System / Electoral Reform

New Health System. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said the new public health system will be ready by the end of 2023, which will guarantee free medical care and access to the entire population. "This system is being built and we will have it ready by the end of this year. We have made good progress despite the complexity and vested interests. We are going to have a health system, not like Denmark's, better than Denmark's!"

Last month, the General Health Law reform, proposed by Congressman Emmanuel Reyes Carmona from MORENA, was approved by the Mexican Chamber of Deputies with 267 votes in favor, 222 against and one abstention. The reform aims to ensure people's right to health through the provision of quality care services and disease prevention, which will be supported by public health actions with multi-sectoral policies, according to the initiative proposed by Reyes. The elimination of INSABI and the transfer of its functions to IMSS-BIENESTAR is expected to streamline the delivery of healthcare services and improve their quality. 

Mexican Peso. López Obrador boasted that the Mexican peso has strengthened, reaching an equivalent of MX$17.8 per dollar. "Inflation is going down and the peso is strong. It has a value of MXI$17.8 per dollar, a figure we have not seen in six years."

Recently, the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) stated that the Mexican economy is recovering at a significant level and that the Mexican peso is the second-best performing currency in the world. 2Q22 was the best-performing quarter, with growth of 1.2% and cumulative GDP growth of 3%. Mexico’s economic activity recovered to significant levels, driven by activities like tourism that increased by 45% compared to 2021. The peso’s appreciation is also due to external factors such as US Federal Reserve policies and the strengthening of oil prices, which has allowed several emerging countries to report significant gains. 

Electoral Reform. President López Obrador said he will soon send the third electoral reform initiative. He also called on the population to give his party a qualified majority in Congress. "What will be done? First, to have a qualified majority in Congress, so that reforms to the Constitution can be made without any problem."

In March, SCJN Minister Javier Laynez paused the application of the latest package of legal reforms to electoral matters proposed by the president after INE itself filed a constitutional controversy against its enforcement. On March 25, 2023, the president announced he will challenge the suspension granted by the Minister. He clarified that his government will continue with the legal path to challenge the Court’s decision and said that he will make sure that his electoral reform becomes a reality one day.

Plan B proposed to cut the budget of the National Electoral Institute (INE), as well as the salaries of its workers, the financing of local electoral offices and the training of polling station officials. Plan B also sought to eliminate INE’s budgetary autonomy, lay off 84.6% of the personnel of the National Electoral Service (SPEN) and reduce sanctions for candidates who do not declare their campaign expenses.