Gaby Montoya, the Los Cabos representative who serves as president of the Baja California Sur state Congress governing board, has introduced a bill to classify epilepsy and other neurological conditions as healthcare priorities within the state system. The legislation aims to close gaps in diagnosis and treatment for patients who depend on public health services in BCS.
What the Bill Would Change
The proposed measure would formally require the state health system to treat neurological conditions, starting with epilepsy, as priority areas for public investment and service delivery. If passed, it could expand access to neurological specialists and diagnostic tools at public facilities run by IMSS (the Mexican Social Security Institute), ISSSTE (the federal employees’ health system), and the state health network.
Patients with epilepsy in BCS currently face limited options for specialized neurological care, particularly outside Los Cabos and La Paz. Many residents must travel to mainland Mexico or pay out of pocket at private clinics for neurologist consultations, EEGs, and ongoing medication management.
Epilepsy in the Americas
According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), approximately 5 million people in the Americas live with epilepsy, accounting for 0.7% of the regional disease burden. Globally, 50 million people have the condition. The incidence rate in developing countries is double that of developed nations, and 80% of the global epilepsy burden falls on lower and middle income countries.
PAHO has called on governments throughout Latin America to reduce stigma, improve social inclusion, and expand healthcare access for epilepsy patients. Mexico’s public health system has historically concentrated neurological specialists in major cities like Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, leaving smaller states like BCS underserved.
Public Health Landscape in BCS
The state’s public healthcare infrastructure has undergone significant changes in recent years. Seguro Popular, the program that once covered uninsured residents, was dissolved in January 2020. Its replacement, INSABI, launched in February 2020 but was disrupted almost immediately by the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal government later transitioned public health coverage to IMSS-Bienestar, which now serves as the primary safety net for uninsured patients in BCS.
Montoya’s bill would need approval from the full BCS state legislature before taking effect. No timeline for a vote has been announced. The initiative was first reported by Noticias La Paz.