Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum Issues Decree Creating Universal Health Service to Integrate Public Systems

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced a presidential decree on April 7 that formally establishes the Servicio Universal de Salud, or Universal Health Service, designed to allow any Mexican citizen to receive care at facilities run by the Mexican Social Security Institute, the Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers, or IMSS-Bienestar, regardless of prior affiliation.

The decree, which Sheinbaum said would be published that day or the next, sets out a gradual process to unify access across the three main public health providers.

Sheinbaum stated during her daily morning briefing that the objective is for patients to move freely between institutions without barriers tied to enrollment status.

"El día de hoy estamos anunciando algo muy relevante: Va a salir un Decreto Presidencial en estos días —el día de hoy o mañana— que crea el Servicio Universal de Salud en México. El objetivo es que, cuando nosotros dejemos el gobierno, cualquier mexicano o mexicana pueda ir a atenderse de cualquier padecimiento a cualquier institución de salud y pueda ser recibido," she said.

Implementation begins immediately with the rollout of a new Universal Health Credential. Registration opens April 13 and runs through April 30 at more than 2,000 modules operated by the Secretariat of Welfare across multiple states and Mexico City boroughs.

The process starts with citizens aged 85 and older, then proceeds by age groups and the first letter of the surname on a set daily schedule that includes weekend sessions for those who miss their slot.

Applicants must present official identification, a certified CURP, proof of address no older than six months, and a contact phone number.

The credential will serve as both a health access card and an official form of national identification, eventually replacing existing IMSS and ISSSTE cards.

It will link to a mobile application that initially provides a digital version of the credential, real-time verification of coverage, and a directory of nearby facilities.

A later 2027 update will add appointment booking, electronic medical records, digital health consultations supported by artificial intelligence, and home-visit tracking.

Service integration follows a defined timetable. On January 1, 2027, the first phase activates eight core categories of care available at any public facility: universal emergency attention and hospital continuity, high-risk pregnancies and emergency deliveries, code-heart protocols with hemodynamics, code-stroke protocols for cerebrovascular events, breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, continuity of care for conditions such as cancer, kidney failure and transplants, universal vaccination, and primary-care consultations for prevention and acute issues with medication prescriptions.

Specialized services such as laboratory testing, imaging and radiotherapy begin exchanging between institutions in the second half of 2027.

By 2028 the system will add universal prescription fulfillment at any facility, specialist outpatient referrals, and open first-level care for chronic conditions.

Officials described the phased approach as a way to improve efficiency through shared databases and coordinated patient records while ensuring continuity of treatment for anyone who begins care at one institution.

Sheinbaum described the decree as a historic step.

"Es un paso histórico el que estamos dando, avanzando hacia el Servicio Universal de Salud," she said, emphasizing that the changes would make the overall system more efficient by reducing duplication and allowing patients to seek care at the nearest available public provider.

During a follow-up briefing on April 9, Sheinbaum confirmed that Mexicans holding dual citizenship and living abroad will also qualify for free access to the country's public health services under the new framework, although a specific credentialing process for those outside Mexico has not yet been finalized.

"Yes, they can access," she said. "We haven't developed the scheme for credentialing Mexicans living outside of Mexico yet, but of course, they can access the country's health services for free."

The Universal Health Service covers an estimated 132 million to 134 million people and continues efforts begun under the previous administration to expand IMSS-Bienestar coverage to the uninsured population.

No additional funding details or legislative changes were outlined in the April 7 announcement, which relies on existing public institutions and administrative coordination.