Peru threatens temporary takeover of private clinics over coronavirus fees

JUNE 24, 2020 / 6:28 PM / UPDATED 4 HOURS AGO

2 MIN READ

LIMA (Reuters) - Peru’s President Martín Vizcarra threatened on Wednesday to temporarily take over the country’s private healthcare clinics if they failed to strike a deal with the government in 48 hours over fees for treating coronavirus patients.

Private clinics have for three weeks wrangled with Vizcarra’s government over a fair rate for care. The haggling began amid reports of overcharging for the sickest patients who require mechanical ventilators and intensive care.

“We cannot wait indefinitely,” said Vizcarra in a televised speech together with his cabinet of ministers. “With the law and the Constitution on our side we can do it.”

Vizcarra said he would invoke an article in the constitution that allows the government to expropriate private property for national security purposes. The constitution requires “just compensation” for any such takings.

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https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-peru/peru-threatens-temporary-takeover-of-private-clinics-over-coronavirus-fees-idUKKBN23V3EB