Julián García Vargas, Minister of Health and Consumption and later of Defense in the governments of Felipe González, died this Tuesday, September 29, at the age of 81. Economist and civil servant, he was also president of the Official Credit Institute before joining the Council of Ministers.
From the application of the General Health Law to Defense
García Vargas arrived at Health in July 1986, a few months after the approval of the General Health Law promoted by his predecessor, Ernest Lluch. He remained in office until March 1991, in a period marked by the extension of health coverage and the configuration of the National Health System. The AIDS crisis was another of the major challenges of his mandate.
In 1991 he moved to the Ministry of Defense, which he directed until 1995. During those years, compulsory military service was reduced to nine months and the Northern Plan was proposed to reorganize the Army. After leaving the Government, he maintained his connection with the defense sector, among other responsibilities as president of the FEINDEF Foundation.