The decline of the New EPS: alarming figures for the EPS with the most members in the country.

The New EPS, Colombia's largest health provider with over 11.5 million affiliates, has entered one of its most challenging periods since being taken over by the government in April 2024. This situation has been highlighted by the financial statements presented by the current intervention team led by Jorge Iván Ospina. The reports reveal a deteriorating financial state, raising concerns among various sectors about how the country’s largest health entity has reached this point. According to the information released, the New EPS faces significant operational difficulties, particularly in regions such as the Atlantic region, where clinics are reportedly only handling critical emergencies due to outstanding debts owed by the EPS. These issues have sparked widespread concern, especially after the government's intervention, which some argue has not yielded positive results. Former Health Superintendent Fabio Aristizábal told Semana that the reports submitted by the intervention team highlight poor management practices under the government's oversight. Financial concerns resurfaced following the publication of these financial statements, which show worsening indicators for the New EPS. Aristizábal raised doubts about whether resources were misappropriated or if the company simply lacks sufficient funding, or both. He pointed to the frequent changes in intervention leadership as a major issue, noting that five different individuals have held the role in just over two years. This includes Julio Alberto Rincón, Bernardo Camacho, Gloria Polanía, Óscar Gálvez, and currently, Jorge Iván Ospina. Additionally, Aldo Cadena briefly served as president before the intervention began. Senator-elect Andrés Forero from the Centro Democrático criticized the rapid turnover of intervention leaders, stating that having six different individuals managing the crisis in less than two and a half years is unacceptable and causes substantial damage. He emphasized that such instability undermines efforts to address the EPS's challenges effectively. One of the main criticisms from both Aristizábal and Forero centers on the role of Gladys Asprilla Coronado, who oversees the entity. She is related to Inti Asprilla, a former senator associated with the petrism movement. Both critics argue that the financial statements lack crucial information necessary for a comprehensive understanding of the health provider's condition. They urge for careful scrutiny of the data, suggesting that further details will become available in the future. According to the latest financial figures, the New EPS recorded ordinary income of 22.2 trillion pesos in 2024, while the cost of service provision amounted to 26.4 trillion pesos, and administrative expenses totaled 0.5 trillion pesos. This resulted in a loss of 4.8 trillion pesos for the year. Despite these numbers, officials within the national government, including President Gustavo Petro, Health Superintendent Daniel Quintero, and Intervention Leader Jorge Iván Ospina, expressed confidence in their approach, attributing the crisis to previous administrations. President Petro confirmed the massive losses suffered by the New EPS, criticizing the administration of former officials, particularly those linked to the Vargas Lleras era. He described it as a dishonorable administration that contributed significantly to the current state of the EPS. Quintero noted that prior to the intervention, losses were estimated at 6.5 trillion pesos, indicating that the situation has improved somewhat under the current management. The ongoing debate surrounding the New EPS highlights deep divisions regarding accountability and effective governance. While some officials claim progress has been made, others remain skeptical, emphasizing the need for transparency and stability in addressing the complex challenges facing the nation's largest health provider. With the new government taking office, the focus will shift toward implementing reforms and ensuring sustainable solutions to restore the EPS's financial health and operational efficiency.