Bulgaria's Parliament Passes National Health Insurance Budget

A file photo of the Bulgarian Parliament's plenary hall in downtown Sofia. BGNES

The National Health Insurance Fund (NZOK)'s budget has been approved by Bulgarian lawmakers, local media outlets report.

As many as 98 lawmakers have backed the bill, while 51 have voted against, with 5 abstentions, BGNES wire service reports.

The nearly BGN 3.5 B budget, BGN 200 up from 2016, guarantees "stability of the health insurance system of Bulgaria," news website Dnes.bg quotes Daniela Daritkova from the biggest party GERB as saying.

The BSP, DPS and ABV, the three parties that were in opposition to Bulgaria's outgoing cabinet, have resisted the budget.

Part of the sum will be allocated to covering the NZOK's outstanding debt.

No change has been made to the health insurance contribution paid by citizens, with 60% of it being covered by the employer and 40% by the employee.

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