Sejm to examine measures to cure reform of national healthcare system

In a desperate move to improve the thus far unsatisfactory reform of the nation's healthcare system, parliamentarians have proposed increasing healthcare insurance premiums, expanding a list of specialists not requiring an official referral, as well as increasing the number of people entitled to healthcare insurance. The new amended regulations scheduled for close Sejm examination at the end of February will also allow foreigners working in Poland to have state health insurance and use the public healthcare system. Under the draft's provisions children age would be insured even if neither parent has an insurance police. So far, only children attending school have been insured. The Sejm will also concentrate on the problem of medicine distribution in Poland and the privatization of public healthcare facilities. According to Health Minister Grzegorz Opala, the Cabinet Economic Committee (KERM) is now looking into the suggested changes before the document finds its way to both chambers of parliament. (Rzeczpospolita, p.A3) J.K.