Health minister says health insurer will receive large loan soon

The minister of health, Martin Holcát, says the Czech Republic’s largest health insurer VZP should receive a CZK 1.5 billion loan from the Czech state by next month. Mr. Holcát made the comments on a Czech Television debate show on Sunday, adding that he was looking at ways to find another CZK 1 billion for VZP, which is struggling financially. The minister also said some parties’ pre-electoral pledge to abolish hospital fees would cause a shortfall of CZK 5.5 billion in the healthcare system; he said they should make clear where they would find the cash.

Author: Ian Willoughby