New CISS president

The CISS congratulates Dr. José Antonio González Anaya who was appointed new IMSS CEO and CISS president.

Quality Management in IMSS

The Mexican Social Security Institute has published the book “Quality Management in the Mexican Institute of Social Security”. It tells the story from the 1990s until today as well as the current policies. It is divided into two major sections: the first summarizes the models, plans and programs that have systematized knowledge, practices and efforts to improve administration, such as the new model of family medicine, and the improvement of childcare and customer service. The second section puts emphasis on systems and instruments to support quality, such as the system of information management with focus on users, and the training of institutional managers through the model of evaluation and strengthening of leadership skills. Members of the CISS interested in obtaining a copy can send an e-mail to secretaria.general@ciss.org.mx.

Mexico: Approve the return Infonavit resources to retirees

The Senate approved amendments to the Law of Infonavit with which all workers who have not exercised their home loan may recover their contributions, enjoying a second loan and hire their loans in pesos, not minimum wages. Complete note here.

Successful Fulfillment of the “Putting Citizen First” 2011 International Program by Service Canada College

Following last year agreement between the Inter-American Conference on Social Security (CISS) and Service Canada College, the “Putting Citizen First” 2011 International Program took place for the second time, with the main goal of transmitting to officers of CISS member institutions important concepts regarding Canada’s experience in citizen-centered services.

This course took place in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, and counted on the participation of five officers from the following CISS member institutions: the Agency of Health and Working Risks of the Dominican Republic; the National Insurance Services of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; and Mexico’s Social Security Institute.

The participants of this course went back home very satisfied, full of new knowledge to share with their coworkers.

The CISS looks forward to continuing collaborating with Service Canada College with more courses for officers of member institutions.

Two interesting notes today

In Mexico, by an agreement made by the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) and the National Savings System for Retirement (CONSAR) was launched the program "TU AFORE TU VENTANA "with which it is intended that the Administrators of Retirement Funds (AFORE) support the workers at the time of his retirement. For more information about the program click here.

On the other hand, unemployment in the United States increased in June. The economy added just 18.000 jobs, causing unemployment to rise one percentage point from May to June standing at 9.2% in the last month. Complete note here.

The International Social Security Week begins

In this note of the newspaper El Universal explains in detail the opening of the International Week of Social Security.

International Social Security Week

This April 27, 28 and 29 is the International Social Security Week in Mexico City. Click here if you want to watch the event online.

President of Mexico proposes an integrated health system

Felipe Calderón, President of Mexico, proposed today an integrated system for all public health systems, where the IMSS, ISSSTE and the Seguro Popular are compatible. See complete note here.

Approving the reimbursement voucher when no drugs in the social security institutions in Mexico

Members of Congress approved the proposed changes to the law of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), which will enable the Institute to deliver drug vouchers to beneficiaries shortage is presented (see here). The ISSSTE already had implemented this practice. Data from the Income and Expenditure Survey (ENIGH 2008) indicate that people with social security spend only 2.89% less on drugs than it spends the general population (about 35% of health expenditure of households is drugs). It is likely that we can observe a substantial improvement in the pocket expense of the population.

Rise in complaints against AFORES in Mexico

In the past three years, complaints and claims by the workers before the Federal Labor Defense (PROFEDET) against the Administrators of Retirement Funds (Afores) have increased significantly. Every day workers have 150 lawsuits against Afores by defaulting on its payments, lack of liquidity to cover pensions, unauthorized transfers and differences in the amount. In 2008, 45 percent of the lawsuits were filed against the Afores, while for 2009 the figure rose to 50.1 percent.

As a measure to the above mentioned, in January 2011, the National Savings System for Retirement (Consar) will have a service indicator of the Afores, to evaluate the services and response times given to workers. It will be a ranking that includes the 14 Afores that are in the market, measuring the number of complaints the Afore has, speed with which serves workers and complaints, and the quality of information provided. Thus, workers will be better informed to know what Afore choose (see here).