Spain has enacted a new government decree that changes the approach to supporting people suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Now, patients with the most severe form of the disease will be able to receive up to 10,000 euros per month to pay for care. The government is allocating 500 million euros for these purposes, which will be distributed among the autonomous communities.
Previously, many families had to cover the enormous costs of round-the-clock care on their own, which became an overwhelming burden. The new funding mechanism is expected to ease this load and ensure a decent standard of living for patients. Authorities emphasize that this is a structural change in the support system for people with a high level of dependency.
Minister of Social Rights Pablo Bustinduy acknowledged that the launch of the program was delayed due to bureaucratic procedures. However, he noted that the right to round-the-clock state-funded care is now guaranteed on a permanent basis. In the near future, the autonomous regions should start implementing the new rules so that the funds reach those in need as soon as possible. A meeting with regional representatives has already been scheduled to speed up the process.
While awaiting the reform, according to opposition estimates, more than a thousand patients died without receiving assistance. The government promises that the system will be fully operational within a few weeks or months. In addition to the new funds, the total budget for supporting people with dependency has reached nearly four billion euros, including additional allocations from European funds. Spain has become one of the few countries to designate part of these resources specifically for the care of critically ill patients.
Despite criticism from opposition parties, who argue that help came too late, authorities insist that such support will now become an inviolable right for everyone facing severe forms of ALS and similar diseases. Ahead lies the implementation of new standards and monitoring to ensure that the funds truly benefit patients.
