The Ministry of Health responded to claims on compulsory medical insurance reform

The new draft law, which grants the heads of regions the right to make decisions on the transfer of the functions of insurers in the field of compulsory medical insurance (CHI) to territorial funds, not only does not infringe on the rights of citizens, but also creates additional mechanisms for their protection. This was reported to Izvestia on October 3 by the Ministry of Health, commenting on the statements of the All-Russian Union of Insurers about the possible loss of the independent control system.

"The proposed changes not only do not infringe on the rights of citizens, but also create additional mechanisms for their protection, contributing to improving the quality of medical services in general. Guaranteed protection of citizens' rights to receive free medical care is a priority area of State policy in the field of healthcare. The proposed changes create additional mechanisms for their provision," the Ministry of Health said in a comment to Izvestia.

It is emphasized that ensuring the protection of citizens' rights in compulsory medical insurance is the responsibility of Russia, delegated to regional government authorities, and not to insurance companies. The draft law sets out in detail all the mechanisms for ensuring the constitutional right of citizens to free medical care, if the governor decides on the fulfillment by the territorial compulsory health insurance fund of the powers of medical insurance organizations.

At the same time, the full functionality of insurance companies will be retained by the territorial funds of compulsory medical insurance, including "effective protection of citizens' rights in the field of medical insurance, maintaining a high level of quality control of medical care and strengthening constitutional guarantees for free and high-quality medical care."

For more information about the situation with the draft law, which caused rejection by medical insurance organizations, see the Izvestia article:

"Policy of unavailability: The Ministry of Health explained plans for compulsory medical insurance reform"