Insurance Update

Since the Government has determined that the promise to remove the tax lien to mutual private health will no longer be held. It is worth remembering that this proposal was launched in the middle of election campaign by the Minister of Health, Boi Ruiz, political movement associated with the CiU. A Health Department spokesman said a few days ago that this action had been dismissed and is no longer part of the priorities of the Catalan government. He added that it is still possible that the government can implement prior to the end of the legislative period.

About 25% of the inhabitants of Catalonia has signed a contract for a health insurance policy with a private mutual, and must pay for this service, an average of about 700 euros each month. In one of his first statements after being appointed Minister of Health, Boi Ruiz said with great fanfare, and in accordance with the promises made by CiU, which would give a tax break to people who hire private insurance due to financial stress implied. Ruiz justified the decision as it helped the viability of the state to release hundreds of users. Trade groups and advocacy organizations, state health coverage Boi have accused Ruiz of ingratiating himself with the mutual private sector came from, while driving the employer Unió Catalana d’Hospitals and was appointed by Artur Mas to take charge of the Department of Health.

They also reject the rationale that the decision would undermine the burden of care and reduce expenditures on public coverage. “In cases of severe clinical symptoms and diagnoses, which require more expensive procedures, patients come into the public system and involves the payment of a penalty,” said spokesman Primary Catalan Forum, Ramon Morera. Read the rest of this entry »