Universal Health Credential Enrollment Opens: 120 Million Mexicans Begin Registration

The Universal Health Credential registration launched April 13 at over 2,059 Welfare Ministry modules, beginning with citizens aged 85 and older. The credential — created by presidential decree April 8 — enables any Mexican to access IMSS, ISSSTE, or IMSS-Bienestar facilities regardless of prior enrollment, ending the institutional siloing of Mexico's fragmented public health system. From 2027, the credential will also function as a national ID. Phase 1 enrollment (ages 85+) runs through April 30, organized alphabetically by surname. Full integration of all public health institutions is scheduled for January 1, 2027. International media praised the initiative as a landmark step toward genuine universal healthcare.