Government turns to World Bank for assistance in health care system reform

More and more question marks are hanging over the future of Health Minister Marie Souckova and her proposed reform of the health care sector. According to observers, the former protégée of Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla is losing the support of her colleagues in government and the Prime Minister himself. The government's scepticism of Ms Souckova's capability to carry out a successful reform of the health care system is so strong, that the cabinet has turned to the World Bank for help in designing a viable system of financing of the health care system.

Government turns to World Bank for assistance in health care system reform

Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla with Health Minister Marie Souckova, photo: CTK

In January, Health Minister Marie Souckova announced she would resign if her reform of the ailing Czech health care system does not make it through parliament. Her draft proposes larger state subsidies, reinforced state supervision over insurance companies and a reduction in the number of hospitals. The lower house was expected to discuss Minister Souckova's reform policies on Tuesday but the reform plan has not yet been approved by the government.

Nevertheless, one partial reform bill was narrowly passed by the lower house on Tuesday. It stipulates that all money collected by health insurance companies will be redistributed in relation to the age of their clients and the number of those who require expensive treatment. If passed by the Senate, the law would further benefit the national health insurer Vseobecna zdravotni pojistovna, or General Health Insurance Company, which caters to clients whose health insurance is covered by the state and who often consume most care, such as children, old-age pensioners and the unemployed. Minister Marie Souckova says the amendment is just and will benefit everyone equally.

"All insurance companies will be able to take care of their clients, including those who need complicated surgery. The bill may now seem to be disadvantageous for employers' insurance companies. But in the long term, many insurance companies will benefit and not only contribute."

Some opposition MPs say the bill would mean the end of competition among health insurance companies. Miroslav Ouzky is an MP for the opposition Civic Democrats.

"In the short term, the law could help the General Health Insurance Company at the cost of employers' health insurers. On the other hand, I think it won't bring any more money into the health care system."

Not only the opposition but also Marie Souckova's colleagues in government are sceptical about her proposed reform. Finance Minister Bohuslav Sobotka has sent an official request to the World Bank in Washington, D.C. to help draft a system for the Czech Republic that could be financed from public resources. The spokesman for the Finance Ministry Marek Zeman explains.

"We want to help speed up the reform of the health care system, namely its financing. That's why we appreciate the fact that the World Bank is willing to help us. The World Bank has already provided consultation to this country about the reform of the pension system, co there is nothing exceptional about this."

Finance Minister Bohuslav Sobotka and World Bank experts are expected to start talks in the coming weeks. In the meantime the future of Minister Souckova's reform and her own ministerial career remain uncertain, as observers speculate that Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla is already looking for a replacement.