Outgoing Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman after a first round of coalition talks on Sunday evening explained he will be fighting for healthcare issues in coalition negotiations, no less than matters of religion.

One of the issues already raised by Litzman is the need for the nation’s healthcare system to recognize and prepare for the aging population and the challenges that it will be facing in the near future. According to Litzman’s request, there would be an automatic update to the health care basket according to the outline of the deputy minister of health whom he transferred to the prime minister.

Litzman is seeking that there be a full demographic coefficient in the rate of population growth and aging for the healthcare basket under the responsibility of the health funds and under the responsibility of the Ministry of Health. In addition, there will be an automatic update to the basket of medicines at a rate of 1.5 percent of the cost of the basket per year. This means a shift from an annual addition of NIS 500 million per year to NIS 750 million per year, and linkage to population growth and prices as well as the abolition of proxy indices in the cost of health index and in the cost of hospitalization.

Another of Litzman’s requests is the addition of NIS 1 billion to the budget base for ongoing support in public hospitals. The rate of general hospital beds will be no less than 1.75 per 1000 people and maintaining the rate of beds per 1,000 in active geriatrics and psychiatry. Raising health insurance fees by half a percent and increasing the cost of the basket so that the additional collection will reach the health system and not the state treasury. Such an increase would allow the budget pit to be covered by the system.

An additional NIS 1 billion in favor of a national program to reduce loads in the emergency rooms in hospital units by improving service in the emergency rooms and improving the service in fontal medical facilities in order to reduce referrals.

The repeal of the Special Instruments Regulations (number of devices per 1,000 persons).

Persons in Litzman’s circle say: We will insist on the health clauses no less than religious clauses. Litzman can choose almost any other portfolio he wishes but chose to continue with the Health Ministry out of a sense of mission to the general public. We expect all parties to support Litzman’s health requirements. All those who made a noise before the elections about the state of the health system should not abandon Litzman now, but to stand at his side giving support in favor of those who are ill. As far as we are concerned, health is above all and it is not a matter of sectoral demands.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)