site.btaFirst-reading Amendments Allow Nurses to Participate in National Framework Agreement Negotiations

Parliament adopted amendments to the Health Insurance Act at first reading on Wednesday. The revisions, proposed by the Council of Ministers, have two objectives: the implementation of regulatory changes related to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and the creation of a regulation whereby the Bulgarian Medical Association will invite representatives of the Bulgarian Association of Healthcare Professionals to participate in negotiations for the conclusion of a National Framework Agreement.

According to stage 324 of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, titled “C12.R3: Improving the attractiveness of healthcare professions; promoting a balanced distribution of healthcare professionals across the territory,” the professional association of nurses, midwives, and associated healthcare professionals must be included in the contractual process with the National Health Insurance Fund. The proposed provision therefore stipulates that, when negotiating the activities included in the package under the law and performed by healthcare professionals, the Bulgarian Medical Association must invite a representative or representatives of the Bulgarian Association of Healthcare Professionals to participate.