Mexico City – The Mexican government has officially launched the Universal Health System, a comprehensive policy designed to provide equitable medical care across the nation. This initiative, confirmed by President Claudia Sheinbaum, merges the services of IMSS, ISSSTE, and IMSS-Bienestar into a single network to ensure every citizen receives free, high-quality treatment regardless of their employment status.
The shift addresses a decades-long challenge in which medical care was fragmented by institutional boundaries. Under the new model, the focus moves toward a streamlined experience for the patient. Central to this integration is the introduction of a permanent health credential linked to a single digital medical record.
This card serves as more than just identification; it acts as a universal key, granting patients access to any public health facility in the country. President Sheinbaum described the initiative as a historic step toward consolidating a system where any individual can receive high-quality care at any public medical facility across the country.
Registration for the credentialing process will begin April 13 and continue through April 30, starting with individuals aged 85 and older. The government has deployed approximately 2,000 specialized teams to support enrollment, which will take place at more than 2,000 Welfare Secretariat service modules across the country.
Officials explained that credentialing marks the first phase of a multi-year rollout. Beginning January 1, 2027, participating institutions will begin exchanging services, including universal emergency care, treatment for high-risk pregnancies, heart attack and stroke response programs, breast cancer diagnosis, vaccination services, and continuity of care for chronic conditions such as kidney failure and cancer.
Additional phases will follow through 2027 and 2028. These will expand access to specialized services, outpatient consultations, chronic disease management, and a universal system for filling medical prescriptions.
A companion mobile application is also planned to support the new system. In 2026, users will be able to access a digital version of their credential, confirm eligibility, and locate nearby hospitals and clinics. By 2027, the platform is expected to allow appointment scheduling, access to medical histories, telehealth services, and follow-up care through home health programs.
Registration will require official identification, a certified CURP, proof of address issued within the last six months, and a contact phone number. Officials noted that enrollment will occur gradually by age group and the first letter of each person’s last name.
Authorities describe the Universal Health System as one of the most ambitious public health initiatives in recent decades, with the long-term goal of ensuring that every resident of Mexico can receive medical care anywhere in the country without cost barriers.
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