Mexico just went universal: 120 million people now have access to free healthcare, with no premiums, no copays, and no eligibility requirements. On April 7, 2026, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum signed a landmark decree creating the Universal Health Service (Servicio Universal de Salud), a major reform aimed at providing free healthcare to all 120 million Mexican citizens. The initiative will unify Mexico’s previously fragmented public healthcare systems—including IMSS, ISSSTE, and IMSS-Bienestar—into a single national network. By removing employment, income, and insurance requirements, the policy legally recognizes healthcare as a universal right, with no premiums, copays, or point-of-service charges. Although the reform is now official, implementation will occur in stages rather than all at once. The rollout began in April 2026 with a nationwide registration campaign to issue a new Universal Health Credential. Full cross-system integration is scheduled for January 1, 2027, and will include emergency care, hospitalizations, high-risk pregnancies, and treatments for serious illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. While the policy has received broad public support, critics and healthcare workers warn that persistent medication shortages and underfunded public hospitals remain significant challenges to its success.(Historic Vids)