Venezuela's government can nationalize private hospitals

Hugo Chavez's government will nationalize Venezuela's privately owned hospitals and clinics if they fail to reduce health care costs.

Photo: Venezuela's government can nationalize private hospitals

"If the owners of the private clinics don't want to obey the laws, then the private clinics will be nationalized," Chavez said in a nationally televised speech. "They will become part of the public health service."

Venezuela has a two-tiered health system in which wealthier, insured patients often can afford prompter, better treatment at private hospitals.

"This is the evil of capitalism," Chavez said of the health care costs at private clinics. "We have to regulate this progressively, transforming the savage capitalist market into a market of solidarity."

Chavez has expanded the public health system, built new clinics and refurbished hospitals, but many public hospitals lack basic medical supplies and sufficient personnel. The Venezuelan leader has also sent thousands of Cuban and Venezuelan doctors to live in poor neighborhoods, where they provide free care.

Following his re-election to a six-year presidential term in December, Chavez embarked on a nationalization drive to impose state control over "strategic" industries in Venezuela.

Chavez has nationalized the South American nation's largest telecommunications firm, electricity companies and the oil industry.