Health minister says she is confident of healthcare reform bill approval

New Health Minister Daniela Filipiová has said she believes a new draft healthcare reform bill which has already made it through the Senate will make it through the lower house as well. The bill modifies the system of health care fees which were introduced in the Czech Republic in 2008. Under the draft, children under 18 would no longer have to pay the statutory 30-crown (1.4 USD) fee per visit to the doctor, and the maximum yearly fee paid by any one individual would be halved to 2,500 crowns (116 USD). The proposals would cut the government’s income from healthcare fees by around 3 billion crowns (139 million USD) a year. Speaking on Czech Television on Sunday, Ms Filipiová said that she had received assurance from non-affiliated MPs that they would support the bill, she said that some opposition Social Democrats may also vote in favour of the legislation.