WITH A CONVINCING majority of over 80 votes the Slovak parliament approved a major health reform consisting of six laws that are expected to improve the quality of medical care and tackle corruption in the health sector, according to Health Minister Rudolf Zajac.
After approving two laws on September 22, MPs smoothly passed the remaining four laws yesterday. Apart from the coalition MPs, several independent MPs and one opposition legislator voted for the laws.
The new health care system, which is expected to gradually take effect as of next year, will see hospitals and health care insurance forms operation as business subjects that will have to compete for their patients and insurance clients, reported the daily SME.
Opposition Smer party has already announced that it would challenge the new legislation at the Constitutional Court and called on President Ivan Gašparovič to veto the laws.
Compiled by Martina Jurinová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
