ATE issued a statement specifying that the demonstration has among its objectives to make visible that the elderly do not have medical coverage.
“Retirees need their social security more than ever and they are denied such benefits. We are facing one of the worst administrations ever and, due to existing irregularities we cannot rule out corruption. We must stop the emptying of PAMI,” the general secretary of the union, Rodolfo Aguiar, stressed.
The participants in the protest will also condemn the fact that the elderly do not receive medicines and the appointments to be attended take too long. In addition, they will speak out against frozen salaries and unjustified dismissals at PAMI.
Despite the ban, retirees have to pay different fees to get a prescription. ATE was able to find out that during the current administration, canes, chairs, beds, mattresses and other vital items for members were not purchased nor provided. Also, the delivery of medicines for oncological treatments is delayed by up to two months, Aguiar pointed out.
“At this moment, an unprecedented emptying of the social security system is taking place. PAMI is one of the largest in Latin America. They are looting a multimillion-dollar fund and letting thousands of retirees die throughout the country, who, after contributing throughout their lives, are not guaranteed the right to access the health system freely and free of charge,” said the general secretary of the union.
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