Deputy Minister of Health Yaakov Litzman and Ministry of Health director general Dr. Ronny Gamzo won a budget victory on Friday, when they succeeded in adding hundreds of millions of shekels to the budget for healthcare funds, the basket of healthcare services, and reforms that are already underway. However, they failed in obtaining more hospital beds, although they got a promise that the matter would be discussed soon.
For the first time, the health budget includes a major increase in the demographic coefficient in the healthcare funds: NIS 40 million has added to the 2010 budget baseline, and the annual demographic coefficient will rise to 1.2% from the current 0.9%. After rising substantially in recent years, the basket of healthcare services will be increased by NIS 300 million a year over the next three years, for a total of NIS 900 million.
The dentistry reform also got a boost. Beginning in July, children up to the age of 8 receive dental treatment at a participation of just NIS 20, even without supplementary insurance. Each year, the eligibility will be extended by two years, so that by 2013 children up to the age of 14 will be covered.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 18, 2010
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