Lagos sets record straight on health costs

The Chilean government's healthcare subsidy reform package, dubbed plan AUGE, will require an additional 150bn pesos (US$212mn), on top of the 550bn pesos the state already pumps into the system, President Ricardo Lagos said during a television interview. "The figures are those that the government gives, and there's nothing else to say," Lagos said in response to independent cost estimates leaked to the press recently. In previous interviews Lagos underlined his personal involvement in reviewing all cost estimates involved in the reforms, which would give low-income earners access to healthcare services for 56 common illnesses. AUGE, which is one of the Lagos administration's flagship social reforms, has met with stiff resistance from healthcare workers' unions and opposition political parties. It is due to come into full effect next year, the President said during his annual address before congress last month.