Regarding the reasons for this high expenditure, 37.2 percent of respondents noted that the required medication was not covered by their health plan, while 29.1 percent indicated it was unavailable at the facility where they were supposed to pick it up.

  The poll, conducted by the Institute of Public Health Policy at the San Sebastian University School of Medicine, took place between June 15 and July 1 and surveyed 989 people from all regions of the country.

  The survey also asked citizens about the National Health Fund (Fonasa), which covers approximately 80 percent of the population.

  Positive ratings for this insurance scheme rose from 51.4 percent in 2023 to 61.1 percent in 2026, an increase of 9.7 percentage points over three years.

  In 2022, under the previous Chilean administration, the “Zero Copay” policy was implemented for Fonasa, meaning that all enrolled individuals receive free medical care within the public system.

jdt/car