site.btaNHIF Budget for 2018 Should Increase by Lv 330-plus Mln, Medical Association Says

Sofia, July 26 (BTA) - The budget of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) for 2018 should increase by over 330 million leva, Ventsislav Grozev, President of the Bulgarian Medical Association, told a BTA-hosted news conference Wednesday. In his opinion, the increased funds could come from overperformance on health insurance contributions, the increase in the minimum wage and in the State's contribution, among others. 
 
The organization proposes a 20 to 22 per cent increase of the funding for primary and specialized health care, which will improve prevention.

The Association also suggests that the NHIF reserve should stand at 5 per cent of its budget instead of 10 per cent as now. It should be used only in emergency situations such as natural disasters, epidemics, traffic accidents with many casualties or migrant waves, Grozev added. The health insurance contributions collected over and above the projection can also go to the reserve.

The Association's proposals will be submitted to the Health Ministry, the NHIF Supervisory Board and the National Assembly.