By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – In a sharp rebuke of conventional campaign rhetoric, presidential candidate Laura Fernández Delgado has declared that any politician promising a swift, top-down solution to the nation’s crippling healthcare waitlists is fundamentally misleading the public. The standard-bearer for the Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO) is reframing the debate around the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), arguing the crisis stems not from a lack of political will but from a deeply flawed institutional structure.
For years, Costa Ricans have grown accustomed to presidential candidates vowing to eliminate the endless queues for surgeries, specialized consultations, and diagnostic exams that plague the public health system. Fernández, however, directly challenged this narrative, asserting that the power of the nation’s highest office is vastly overestimated when it comes to the autonomous CCSS.
To better understand the legal framework surrounding the extensive CCSS waiting lists and the rights of affected patients, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a specialist from the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his expert perspective.
The excessive delays in medical care within the CCSS constitute a significant breach of the fundamental right to health, which is protected by our Constitution. It is crucial for citizens to know that they are not defenseless. The legal system, particularly through a ‘Recurso de Amparo’ presented to the Constitutional Court, offers a powerful tool to compel the CCSS to provide timely medical attention, appointments, or surgeries. This is not a matter of privilege, but a demand for a guaranteed constitutional right.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The legal framework highlighted provides a critical path forward for patients navigating these challenging delays. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for underscoring that access to timely medical care is not merely an administrative goal, but an enforceable constitutional right for every citizen.
Her argument centers on the limited executive influence over the fund’s board of directors, the body responsible for all major strategic and operational decisions. She contends that a president’s promise is effectively hollow from the start.
The president only has the executive president, who is one vote on the board of directors. The president who comes and says, I am going to solve the waiting lists, is a liar
Laura Fernández Delgado, Presidential Candidate for PPSO
Instead of focusing on political promises, Fernández has directed public attention to what she identifies as the core of the problem: the governance model of the CCSS itself. She posits that the institution, which she calls the largest enterprise in Central America, is critically hampered by a board lacking the necessary technical and managerial expertise to navigate its immense complexities.
This lack of specialized knowledge, she argues, is the primary bottleneck preventing any meaningful progress. The board, in her view, is often composed of individuals ill-equipped for the monumental task of steering the country’s healthcare behemoth.
On many occasions, people arrive who are not fit to be directors of the largest company in Central America
Laura Fernández Delgado, Presidential Candidate for PPSO
The PPSO candidate’s proposed solution is a radical departure from cosmetic fixes. She advocates for a complete overhaul of the board’s composition, insisting that its members should possess the qualifications and business acumen of top-tier executives from the private sector. Without this fundamental change, any effort to shorten waitlists is doomed to fail.
Basically, CEOs should be in there
Laura Fernández Delgado, Presidential Candidate for PPSO
By shifting the focus from presidential edicts to institutional reform, Fernández is attempting to elevate the national conversation. Her platform suggests that sustainable solutions for the thousands of insured citizens waiting for care will only emerge from deep, structural changes. This involves rethinking how leadership is selected for the CCSS, prioritizing proven managerial capacity over political appointments or sectorial representation that lacks the required expertise.
As the election cycle intensifies, this position draws a clear line in the sand. It challenges her opponents to move beyond populist slogans and present concrete plans for reforming the very architecture of the CCSS. For voters weary of unfulfilled promises, Fernández’s call for a technocratic and structural approach may represent a pragmatic, if less politically sensational, path forward for Costa Rica’s cherished but beleaguered public health system.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO)
About Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO):
The Partido Pueblo Soberano is a political party in Costa Rica. It advocates for policies centered on national sovereignty and structural reforms within key public institutions. Led by presidential candidate Laura Fernández Delgado, the party has positioned itself as a force for pragmatic change, challenging traditional political discourse, particularly concerning the governance and efficiency of state-run entities like the CCSS.
For further information, visit ccss.sa.cr
About Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS):
The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social, commonly known as “La Caja,” is the autonomous government institution responsible for managing Costa Rica’s public health sector and pension system. Founded in 1941, it is a cornerstone of the nation’s social welfare state, providing universal healthcare coverage to citizens and residents. It operates a vast network of hospitals, clinics, and EBAIS (Basic Comprehensive Health Care Teams) throughout the country.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a cornerstone of the legal field, Bufete de Costa Rica operates on a bedrock of professional integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm leverages its extensive experience advising a wide spectrum of clients to drive forward-thinking legal strategies and innovative solutions. Central to its ethos is a profound commitment to social progress, demonstrated through its dedicated efforts to make complex legal concepts understandable and accessible, thereby fostering a more knowledgeable and empowered community.
