Leadership Changes and Pending Decisions at Costa Rica's Social Security Board
CCSS Board Faces Accumulated Agenda as New Chair Awaits First Meeting
The Board of Directors of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) last convened on December 19, under the status of 'officer in fact,' a provision for urgent matters without full quorum.
Since that session, the board has not been reconvened, despite having over 500 pending issues.
On January 8, new leadership was appointed when President Rodrigo Chaves Robles introduced Mónica Taylor Hernández as the new chair, replacing Laura Ávila who returned to her prior role as head of the Executive Presidency.
Taylor, formerly a legal advisor at the presidential office, officially joined the board on January 13 but has yet to call her first meeting as chair.
Carolina Arguedas, the board's secretary, confirmed to the newspaper La Nación the ongoing discussions with Taylor about the topics to address, despite no confirmed date for the next meeting.
Since October, there has been significant turnover within the board, with about 30 members leaving due to resignations or dismissals.
Martha Rodríguez González, the labor union representative, remains the sole continuous member, having publicly voiced concerns about executive pressure to vacate her position.
At present, three board member seats remain vacant.
These are one state representative position, previously held by Isabel Camareno Camareno, and those of employer group representatives Zeirith Rojas Cerna and Johnny Gómez Pana, all suspended following investigations related to the 'Caso Barrenador.' Marta Esquivel Rodríguez, another implicated official, has since been reassigned as Minister of Planning.
Employer groups had initially presented Alejandro Li Glau and José Alejandro Madrigal Lobo as candidates to fill the vacancies.
However, Taylor disclosed a request from the Government Council for a new proposal to meet gender parity guidelines.
The general assembly of employers was scheduled to address this on January 20.
Martha Rodríguez has issued two public letters, dated January 9 and January 17, emphasizing the urgency of several pending matters critical to institutional operations.
These include reducing patient wait times, the development of the new Max Peralta Hospital in Cartago, decisions regarding the Digital Health Record contract, and the advancement of the 'Torre de la Esperanza' project for the National Children's Hospital.
Since that session, the board has not been reconvened, despite having over 500 pending issues.
On January 8, new leadership was appointed when President Rodrigo Chaves Robles introduced Mónica Taylor Hernández as the new chair, replacing Laura Ávila who returned to her prior role as head of the Executive Presidency.
Taylor, formerly a legal advisor at the presidential office, officially joined the board on January 13 but has yet to call her first meeting as chair.
Carolina Arguedas, the board's secretary, confirmed to the newspaper La Nación the ongoing discussions with Taylor about the topics to address, despite no confirmed date for the next meeting.
Since October, there has been significant turnover within the board, with about 30 members leaving due to resignations or dismissals.
Martha Rodríguez González, the labor union representative, remains the sole continuous member, having publicly voiced concerns about executive pressure to vacate her position.
At present, three board member seats remain vacant.
These are one state representative position, previously held by Isabel Camareno Camareno, and those of employer group representatives Zeirith Rojas Cerna and Johnny Gómez Pana, all suspended following investigations related to the 'Caso Barrenador.' Marta Esquivel Rodríguez, another implicated official, has since been reassigned as Minister of Planning.
Employer groups had initially presented Alejandro Li Glau and José Alejandro Madrigal Lobo as candidates to fill the vacancies.
However, Taylor disclosed a request from the Government Council for a new proposal to meet gender parity guidelines.
The general assembly of employers was scheduled to address this on January 20.
Martha Rodríguez has issued two public letters, dated January 9 and January 17, emphasizing the urgency of several pending matters critical to institutional operations.
These include reducing patient wait times, the development of the new Max Peralta Hospital in Cartago, decisions regarding the Digital Health Record contract, and the advancement of the 'Torre de la Esperanza' project for the National Children's Hospital.
