Hospital debt settlement concept to be ready by end of June

The way in which hospitals' debts are to be settled should be known by the end of this month, Health Minister Tomáš Drucker (a Smer-SD nominee) and Finance Minister Peter Kažimír (Smer-SD) confirmed to the TASR press agency on Thursday. The health sector's debts mounted to €647.24 million last year with state-run university and faculty hospitals making up its biggest portion, 84 percent. At the moment, it is not clear what sum the state might provide in the debt settlement. Drucker said that it will not be a one-off debt settlement with money going only to those willing to meet recovery plans. According to the medical supplier association SK-MED, some hospitals have not paid their dues for four years. The association registered overdue receivables amounting to over €158 million against its members at the end of the first quarter. Suppliers find the state debt settlement concept conditioned by any discounts to be unacceptable and legally questionable without having any detailed information. Therefore, medical suppliers would like to comment on the document during its preparation.