The hiring of former Deputy Health Minister of the Andalusian Government, Miguel Ángel Guzmán, as medical director in the private insurance company Asisa, just three months after announcing his resignation for personal reasons at the end of last December, has outraged the Andalusian opposition. They believe that this move violates the regional law on incompatibilities of high-ranking officials. The PSOE-A has requested explanations from the President of the Autonomous Government, Juan Manuel Moreno, while Por Andalucía and Adelante Andalucía have announced plans to file complaints against the Office of Anti-Fraud and Corruption. Guzman has declined to comment on the controversy and has referred to the press conference of the Government Council on Tuesday, where the Junta spokesperson stated that they were unaware of his move to the private sector until it was reported by the media.
From the communication department of the insurance company, they confirm that Guzmán will join as medical director in Andalusia in the coming days and that he assured the organization that he had complied with all the requirements of the Andalusian legislation and did not believe he was in violation of any incompatibilities. Guzmán himself explained that his new position is not incompatible with his previous work in the Health Department, as he is not a public official and had worked in the private sector for 23 years before joining the Junta. Asisa clarified that they do not currently have any contractual agreements with the regional government. The Andalusian law on incompatibilities of high-ranking officials from 2005 states that their functions cannot be combined with roles in companies or entities, even if they are not related to public services or have contractual relationships with public entities.
Some legal experts believe that Guzmán may not need to wait the two years after leaving his public post, as stipulated in another article of the law. However, there are differing opinions on this matter, with some arguing that there should be a waiting period of two years before engaging in private activities related to the public tasks previously handled. The opposition views Guzmán’s move as an example of political corruption, citing his role in the public health system’s dysfunction and long waiting lists. They have announced plans to file complaints against Guzmán’s appointment and are calling on the President to clarify how the incompatibility rules for high-ranking officials are being enforced.
Guzmán, a graduate in Medicine and Surgery, specialist in Occupational Medicine, and high-level technician in Occupational Risk Prevention, has held various positions in the Andalusian public health system, overseeing a period of deterioration in the healthcare services with overcrowded primary care facilities and extensive surgical waiting lists. His resignation came amidst controversy over the government’s decision to enter into a lucrative agreement with private healthcare providers to mitigate these issues. Asisa, one of the largest private insurance companies in the country, operates numerous healthcare facilities in Andalusia and has seen growth in its market share and revenue in recent years.
The insurance sector in Andalusia has seen an increase in the number of people with health insurance policies, with companies like Asisa and SegurCaixa Adeslas dominating the market. Asisa’s revenue and premium volume have increased, reflecting the overall growth of the insurance market in the region. The increasing private sector involvement in healthcare has raised concerns about the potential conflict of interest when former public officials transition to roles in private companies. The controversy surrounding Guzmán’s appointment highlights the delicate balance between public service and private interests in the healthcare sector, with calls for transparency and accountability in the handling of incompatibilities and ethical standards for high-ranking officials.
