would require patients get a special written recommendation from their GP before being allowed to visit a specialist.
The Health Ministry claims the rule will cut costs by preventing patients from seeking unnecessary treatments.
But according to SLUS president Andrej Janco, the proposal is not only the result of pressure from the physicians lobby, but proof of the inability of the Health Ministry to set its priorities and outline a real solution to the crisis that has returned since the previous government’s reforms were halted.
Janco thinks health care costs can be lowered by providing preventative care.
"Nothing is cheaper than diagnosing a patient as early and accurately as possible," he said. SITA
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
