Law 100 modified health delivery in Colombia by changing subsidies to the supply side for a demand subsidy, which was proposed as a goal to attain universal coverage by 2001. Law 100 created two affiliation regimens: contributory and subsidized. The subsidized portion affiliates the population without ability to pay. Those who do not subscribe to either regimen due to lack of services or resources are referred to as uninsured participants. It is the responsibility of each municipality to delivery health services to this population. The regulatory principles of this process are efficiency, universality, solidarity, comprehensiveness, integration, and social participation.

The Ministry of Health dictates the policies. In the territorial areas, Sectional Health Services and Municipal Health Systems represent the Ministry. By Law, the National Board of Social Security in Health (CNSSS) exercises the `steering role` of the system. The CNSSS associated to the Ministry of Health is the management agency for the General Social Security System in Health.

Health System Profile of Colombia

The second edition of the profile was prepared by a group of 40 professionals and national policymakers from the Ministry of Health, the National Health Institute, the National Institute for Drug and Food Surveillance (INVIMA), the National Health Authority, the National Administrative Department of Statistics, the National Planning Department, the National University, Javeriana University, the University of Antioquia, and PAHO/WHO. Technical coordination of the national group was the responsibility of the PAHO/WHO Representative Office in Colombia. The external review was commissioned to the Foundation for the Development of Health Education in Colombia (FUNDESCO). Final review, edition, and translation are the responsibility of the Health Systems and Policies Unit, PAHO/WHO, Washington, DC.

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Colombia Country Profile - Health in the Americas, 2007
Link to Colombia Ministry of Health
Link to PAHO/WHO country office in Colombia