Two smaller parties in government want health care payments reviewed

The ruling Civic Democrats are facing opposition from their coalition partners to some aspects of the health care reform introduced at the start of this year. Olga Zubová, an MP for the Green Party, says she is considering tabling a proposal according to which children should be exempted from having to pay direct fees for medical services which are now compulsory for all citizens. The Christian Democrats, also a member of the governing coalition, are preparing a similar proposal concerning mothers and newborns. Unlike the opposition Social Democrats who want to see direct payments abolished, the smaller governing parties say they merely want the law modified. Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, of the Civic Democrats, recently admitted that children and pensioners might be exempted from the payments.