Русская версияThe draft reform, called "Public Health Care Friendly towards Citizens," resulted from the "square-table debate" in which representatives of the association as well as political parties, except for the senior government Civic Democrats (ODS), took part to propose an alternative to the reform plans of Health Minister Tomas Julinek (ODS).
The Patients' Association proposes that only one health insurance company exist in the Czech Republic.
If it ended up in debts, the state would help it, like in the past, Patients' Association deputy head Josef Mrazek said.
Since January, Czechs have paid 30 crowns per visit to a surgery and per item on a prescription, 90 crowns for after hours and 60 crowns per day in hospital.
There are many exceptions from the law and reliefs, and others are being discussed.
The government coalition has already agreed to abolish health care fees for newborn babies and gradually also for kids under six. Moreover, it will lower the 5000-crown annual limit for the fees and cash payments for medicines to 3000 crowns for children under 15.
The Patients' Association has criticised the introduction of patients' fees in the long run, saying it violates the constitution that guarantees free health care for everyone.
According to the association's reform, full care, including dental treatment, rehabilitation and emergency care plus the latest medicines and top modern methods, should be available for all without extra fees and paid via public insurance.
The association also says the state should increase expenditure on health care, which is low compared to other Western countries. The Czech Doctors' Chamber as well as doctors' associations have also criticised this fact.
Moreover, the patients criticise other plans by Julinek, such as the planned transformation of hospitals into joint-stock companies and the privatisation of health insurers.
Julinek, however, defends the controversial plans.
The "square-table debate" was launched in reaction to Julinek's round-table talks of experts about health care reform.
The Patients' Association has offered the debate's results to the senior opposition Social Democrats (CSSD), the junior ruling Greens and Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL), as well as to the opposition Communists (KSCM) to use them in the autumn regional elections.
($1=16.058 crowns)
(Ceske Noviny)
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