New healthcare legislation passed

The Parliament greenlighted on Wednesday an extensive amendment to the Healthcare Act which, according to the Health Ministry, should solve a number of problematic issues in Slovak healthcare. Besides other things, the law introduces the option for patients and doctors to meet during overtime consulting hours in exchange for a maximum fee of €30. This change is on a voluntary basis, and should be introduced as of May 2018. While the Health Minister Tomáš Drucker thinks this will dramatically increase access to health care during regular doctors' opening hours, too, the opposition MP for OĽaNO, Marek Krajči claims the new measure is both not systemic and anti-social, as people will be forced to pay for health care twice - once via health insurance and then in appointment fees. According to the OĽaNO party, additional working hours for doctors will work to the benefit of private establishments, which enjoy an affluent clientele that can afford to pay the appointment fees.