site.btaMedical Association Criticize Health Insurance Fund over 2016 Budget Surplus

Sofia, July 14 (BTA) - In a statement on Friday, the Bulgarian Medical Association (BMA) said that the 1.6 million leva surplus in the 2016 budget of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) is "an outrage against the health of Bulgarians".

The statement comes after Thursday's meeting of the parliamentary healthcare committee, where NHIF Supervisory Board Chairman Kiril Ananiev reported on the implementation of NHIF's 2016 budget.

"To speak of surplus when the healthcare system is chronically underfunded is cynical. This money has been saved by not meeting the medical needs of the population, indirectly undermining the health of Bulgarians," the statement said.

Under the law, NHIF's revenues and expenditures should be equal. Moreover, it owes 34 million leva to hospitals for medical services in 2016 carried out in excess of the set limits.

The BMA calls for an adequate budget which reflects the needs without deficits and which will guarantee the calm operation of the healthcare system and will motivate medical staff to stay and work in the country.