Santo Domingo.– A movement in defense of the affiliates of the Dominican Social Security System filed a petition this Tuesday before the National Social Security Council (CNSS) requesting a series of measures to improve coverage and conditions for users of Health Risk Administrators (ARS), while warning that it will begin a series of protests if its demands are not met.
During a press conference, the organization’s representatives reported that this action marks the beginning of a national struggle tour in defense of the rights of social security system members, focusing their main demands on the operation of the ARS.
Among the demands presented to the CNSS is an increase in the coverage amount for medications, considering that the current limit is insufficient for patients with permanent treatments. Likewise, they requested that the assigned amount should not expire at the end of each period, but rather be cumulative to benefit those who do not use the full extent of that coverage over the years.
The protesters also demanded a review of the copayment system for specialized medical consultations and denounced that some members do not receive coverage for medications with the same active ingredients when these are prescribed for different times, a situation they described as an abuse.
During their intervention, the spokespersons criticized the profits obtained by the ARS, asserting that between 2010 and 2024 these exceeded RD$20 billion, resources that, in their view, should translate into greater benefits for the affiliates.
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The organization called on President Luis Abinader, the National Congress, and the members of the National Social Security Council to address their demands through dialogue.
The representatives granted a one-week deadline to receive an official response. If it does not occur, they announced that on August 3rd they will begin a series of protests in front of the ARS headquarters in different parts of the country.
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In addition, they called on representatives of the labor sector and various political actors to join the initiative, asserting that the fight will continue until changes are achieved in the social security system and in the ARS intermediation model.
