Proposals to Update Bulgaria's Healthcare Budget to Be Made in Days

Bulgarian Health Minister Tanya Andreeva announced options to review the financial framework for troubled National Health Insurance Fund (NZOK) are to be made public this week.

Her comments come weeks after medical union representatives and NZOK officials warned the fund runs a BGN 330 M (EUR 165 M) deficit for this year and will only be able to make payments to hospitals until September.

Andreeva however stressed the need for an analysis to be carried out at the NZOK which could show where and for what reasons shortage of financing is most likely to occur, the Bulgarian National Radio reported.

Earlier this week Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev urged Parliament to consider a budget update before dissolving on August 6 to avoid a dire financial situation which could arise during the two-month term of the caretaker government yet to be appointed.

In Plevneliev's words, boosting expenditure in healthcare, but also in other key areas, should be an utmost priority.

Opposition GERB also called on ruling parties to review NZOK's budget.

Cabinet officials suggest amending the fund's framework without introducing changes to other sectors is also an option.

The issue was not discussed during Thursday's session of the Council of Ministers, one of the last taking place before the government steps down later in July.

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