Ophthalmological service providers across the country have spoken out against the recent decision by PAMI to arbitrarily block patient care. They cited a lack of transparent technical criteria and verifiable clinical parameters to justify it. The social security agency for retirees had published days ago that it detected alleged 'overbilling' in ophthalmological services, as reported by the Noticias Argentinas agency and other media. The sector not only denied this but also claimed that the measure paralyzes care for thousands of affiliates without a clear audit procedure, without formal communication to providers, without available technical opinions, and without allowing for review or rebuttal instances. They described the administrative decision as arbitrary, imprecise, and lacking verifiable clinical justification, as it directly affects the access of older adults to visual care, which is essential to prevent avoidable blindness, maintain autonomy and quality of life, reduce falls and hospitalizations, and ensure a basic standard of well-being for a highly vulnerable population. 'Most affected patients receive the minimum pension and have no real alternatives. Each day without care constitutes a certain, cumulative, and preventable harm,' commented Omar López Mato, a member of CAMECO. Consequences He listed the consequences of the unilateral suspension of ophthalmological authorizations: it defunds institutions that depend on the continuity of care, creates instability in professional teams, paralyzes operating rooms and scheduled appointments, and seriously compromises the continuity of care for thousands of elderly people. And he warned that if this situation persists, providers will be forced to take forceful measures to demand the urgent regularization of the system and the opening of channels for institutional dialogue. To conclude by saying that once again it is made clear that although governments change, certain patterns of discretion, opacity, and arbitrariness persist, always harming the same sector: the retiree who needs to see to live with dignity. In turn, they counter-argued that while surgeries and essential consultations are suspended on the pretext of supposed irregularities, simultaneously — and in striking silence after the last elections — the discussion about PAMI's purchases of intraocular lenses at prices 6 to 10 times higher than the market price disappeared from the public debate. According to reports, these acquisitions were made at highly distorted prices. Even more concerning, it was pointed out, a 10% commission would have been requested from suppliers to guarantee awards, which would explain why intermediaries and not laboratories participated, as compliance norms prevent them from being involved in irregular practices. This scenario demands immediate and transparent investigation, the entity demanded. In summary, the providers demanded: the immediate restoration of ophthalmological services, transparent, technical, and evidence-based audits, an urgent investigation into the purchases of intraocular lenses and any possible kickbacks, and a formal channel for dialogue that allows for the maintenance of service quality.
