Lack of clear rules of financing seen as key problem for the health service

President Aleksander Kwaśniewski yesterday held a debate concerning the problems of the public health service, with the participation of representatives of the Health Ministry, the National Health Fund, hospital directors and other parties connected with this part of the economy. "The situation in the sector is frustrating. This meeting was organized to coolly discuss the various problems, away from the atmosphere of conflict," said Barbara Labuda, a Minister in the Presidential Office. According to participants, the biggest problem seems to be a lack of clear regulations concerning the financing of medical services. "Without a list of services which have to be paid from public funds, and without the joint financing by the patient for some of the services, the situation will not improve," said professor Stanisława Golinowska from Jagiellonian University. Economy Minister Jerzy Hausner and Health Minister Leszek Sikorski are against the introduction of additional payments by patients, and think that additional private health insurance systems should be established. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A3) A.K.