Under President Javier Milei of Argentina, disabled citizens are losing access to essential therapy programs as part of his austerity measures. An estimated 5 million people with disabilities are affected by funding freezes to organizations that provide therapeutic and educational services.
Impact on Individuals
Analía Celis, a 34-year-old with intellectual disability and cerebral palsy, relied on sports therapy, baking classes, and art sessions to maintain her well-being. These programs have been disrupted after the government froze payments to providers like Andar, a nonprofit running a day center in Moreno, Buenos Aires. Andar has stopped bus services, leaving Celis and dozens of others stranded.
“I never imagined we’d be at this point, selling our vehicles because we don’t have enough money to keep the lights on,” said Martín Lucero, Andar’s legal representative. He emphasized that cutting off individuals from developmental spaces is a political choice.
Systemic Collapse
Disability care providers operate on state-funded insurance reimbursements, but irregular payments and inflation have caused mounting debts. Six months ago, payments ceased entirely, forcing centers to slash staff, delay salaries, and reduce hours. Disability rights groups estimate up to 50 centers have closed this year, mainly in rural provinces.
Roman Pontecorvo, a 28-year-old with intellectual disability who discovered acting at Andar, warned: “If Andar closes, many of us will be left with nothing. It will be total chaos.” Therapists report that without programming, individuals regress quickly. Celis’s mother, Clementina Tabares, 74, said her daughter now stays in bed, agitated, and misses therapy.
Legal and Political Battle
Rights advocates argue for implementing a 2023 law declaring an emergency for people with disabilities, which boosts benefits and guarantees funding until December 2026. However, Milei has stalled the law, citing fiscal impact of 0.35% of GDP. Congress overrode his veto, but court battles continue. A federal judge ordered the government to restore payments, but the government appealed.
Milei has proposed a bill to dismantle the current system, empowering private insurers and provinces to negotiate rates, and restricting benefits to those below the poverty line with “complete” and “permanent” disabilities. The bill awaits congressional debate.
Corruption Allegations
The government claims cuts aim to eliminate fraud, citing cases like fabricated medical tests. However, prosecutors investigate higher-level corruption: leaked recordings suggest Karina Milei, the president’s sister, took kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies. Milei denies wrongdoing. The government shut down the national disability agency Andis, laying off workers and consolidating programs under the Health Ministry.
Critics say the government is dismantling institutions without alternatives. “The government is not carrying out a serious reform. It is simply emptying the system,” said Celeste Fernandez of the Civic Association for Equality and Justice.
