Senate approves law for government to assume prisoner upkeep and health worker vaccination bonus payments

Bolivia's Senate has approved a short bill that shifts the financial responsibility for prisoner upkeep costs and health worker vaccination bonuses from departmental governments to the central government. This legislative move aims to ease the economic burden on regional administrations and guarantee the ongoing provision of these essential benefits.

The "ley corta" modifies existing regulations to ensure both benefits are funded by central state resources. This response comes amid budgetary challenges faced by departmental governments. Lawmakers supported the measure to prevent resource shortages in departments from impacting payments for prediarios, which cover the costs of food and lodging for inmates, and expenses for health personnel during sanitary campaigns.

According to the Bolivian Information Agency (ABI), the project addresses the need to secure the sustainability of these benefits without jeopardizing departmental finances. Legislators believe this change will bolster public health campaigns and provide greater certainty for personnel involved in nationwide vaccination programs.

With its approval in the upper chamber, the bill will now advance through the established legislative process for consideration in the next stage. If passed and enacted, the national government will officially assume the financing of these payments, replacing the current system that placed the onus on departmental governments.