Controversy Deepens Over Privatized Healthcare in Madrid's Torrejón Hospital Amid Allegations of Profit-Driven Patient Care

The privatization of Madrid's healthcare system, initiated under Esperanza Aguirre's administration, has come under intense scrutiny following recent allegations against Ribera Salud's management of the Hospital de Torrejón de Ardoz. Since Aguirre’s 2003 campaign, which promised improvements by incorporating private firms into public health infrastructure, the region has seen rising waiting lists—currently the highest in Spain for specialist visits. Her model invested €2.28 billion in private firms to build and manage hospitals, a move that made private interests central to the public healthcare system.

Recent leadership changes in Ribera Salud signal a shift toward prioritizing profits over patient care. After long-standing CEO Alberto de Rosa was abruptly dismissed in May, Pablo Gallart, formerly the financial director, took charge. Under Gallart's leadership, executives report directives to increase hospital profits by manipulating patient waitlists, with tactics including artificially raising wait times. Such practices led to the firing of at least four executives who raised ethical concerns internally.

These revelations came to light through audio recordings published by 'El País', which spurred legal actions. Lawyer Javier Flores stated on the program La Roca that Ribera Salud could face charges related to up to five crimes, including offenses against public health, due to intentional manipulation of patient care for financial gain. He criticized the deliberate extension of wait times and selective patient prioritization, warning of serious health risks to those affected. Journalist Juan del Val echoed this sentiment, underscoring the political responsibility of Madrid's Community and emphasizing that "public healthcare cannot be a business."

Ribera Salud, primarily owned by French firm Vivalto Santé, operates multiple hospitals under public-private partnerships across Spain and internationally. The company applies varied management models, such as the capitation system used in Galicia, which has also faced criticism.

These controversies shed light on the broader implications of healthcare privatization in Madrid, raising questions about the balance between efficiency and patient welfare. The current administration under Isabel Díaz Ayuso has continued Aguirre’s privatization policies, reinforcing private sector involvement in healthcare funding and management. With 41.3% of Madrid’s healthcare spending directed toward private management, the debate over the sustainability and ethics of this model remains highly charged.

As legal proceedings unfold, the future of Madrid’s healthcare system hangs in the balance, confronted with the challenge of ensuring quality care without sacrificing transparency or public health safeguards.