Mexico City, February 27, 2026 – The Mexico City Congress has forwarded an initiative to the Health Commission for the integration of digital health and telehealth into the local Health Law. This proposal seeks to broaden access to medical services, enhance the security and equity of healthcare provision, and optimize public resources.
Deputy Pablo Trejo Pérez Proposes Harmonization with Federal Law
The initiative was presented by Deputy Pablo Trejo Pérez, vice-coordinator of the PRD Parliamentary Group, and opens a discussion on how to implement federally mandated digital health provisions at the local level. During the ordinary session on February 26, 2026, Trejo Pérez emphasized the need for a clear regulatory framework in Mexico City to govern the digitalization of health services and remote care.
The legislator highlighted that the General Health Law already includes digital health and telehealth, following a decree published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on January 15, 2026. Therefore, a timely adaptation of local legislation is crucial to maintain legal coherence and facilitate effective implementation in Mexico City.
Trejo Pérez stressed that the goal extends beyond merely enabling technological tools; it involves defining clear criteria and responsibilities for their operation. “Integrating digital health ensures that these practices adhere to clear rules, protect the privacy of sensitive personal data of patients, and delineate the legal responsibility of health professionals,” he stated.
Key Legal Changes Proposed in the Mexico City Health Law
The initiative suggests specific amendments to the Mexico City Health Law to explicitly incorporate digital health and telehealth. These include:
- Adding a new subsection (Fraction I Bis) to Article 5 to include digital health in the general provisions of the law.
- Introducing two new subsections (Fractions XXXVII Bis and XLIX Bis) to Article 6 to recognize and define components related to digital health and telehealth.
- Updating subsection a) of Fraction I of Article 19 to align it with the new inclusion of digital health and telehealth.
These adjustments aim to formally recognize digital health and telehealth in local legislation, establishing a framework for their implementation under defined rules, with a strong emphasis on data privacy and professional responsibilities.
Access and Opportunity: Driving Arguments for the Initiative
To support the need for expanded care modalities, Trejo Pérez cited indicators of access and response times in the capital. In 2022, 28.7% of Mexico City’s population reported a lack of access to health services. Furthermore, only 42.5% of those seeking medical attention were seen within 30 minutes or less.
The legislator interpreted these statistics as indicators of saturation and delays, conditions that could benefit from the systematic integration of technology into the local health system, thereby improving access and timeliness of care.
Equity and Structural Barriers: A Gender-Focused Approach
The initiative also frames the discussion in terms of equity. Trejo Pérez argued for a direct link between gender and structural economic barriers, noting that women more frequently demand health services and consequently face higher costs than men. He also highlighted the persistent gender pay gap as a contributing factor to this disparity.
From this perspective, local regulation of digital health and telehealth is presented as a tool to expand access options and reduce obstacles, provided it is implemented with clear rules and robust protection of sensitive personal data.
Legislative Path: Health Commission to Review and Dictate
The initiative has been referred by the Steering Committee to the Health Commission for analysis and deliberation. This marks the beginning of a phase where the proposal’s content, relevance, and consistency with existing legislation will be reviewed before any further legislative action.
The debate now unfolding in the capital’s Congress focuses on how to incorporate digital health and telehealth into local law with an operational approach: clear rules, protection of sensitive data, delineation of responsibilities, and conditions for effective implementation. The discussion will proceed within the technical-legislative framework of the Health Commission.
Source: https://consultorsalud.com.mx/congreso-cdmx-salud-digital-telesalud-ley/
