It is planned to increase the fee for general practitioners. How much it will be raised will become clear soon. This was stated in the studio of “The Day Live” on NOVA News by the MP from “There is such a people” and member of the Health Care Committee, Prof. Andrey Chorbanov.
On the issue of doctors' salaries and the possible solution to the problem of paying health professionals, he stated that: “The problem was very serious. No one should be left with the impression that the authorities are neglecting this issue or are trying to find a temporary solution, just “to throw dust in the eyes“. The current solution is such that it will solve the problem temporarily, but will also be included as an amendment to the Law on Medical Institutions”.
And he announced that the funds will be paid through the Health Fund, but they will come with a transfer from the republican budget – that is, they will be targeted. "When it comes to salaries, this delegated budget will have another purpose and will not be able to be used for anything other than remuneration. The idea is not only to increase the salaries of critical specialties, such as doctors without a specialty (so-called residents), but also of nurses, midwives and all healthcare specialists. The problem must be solved comprehensively, because we cannot, by giving higher salaries to one group, neglect the others. There is no way that a teaching doctor can receive a lower salary than his resident", Chorbanov explained.
He added that in the clinical pathway, work is paid for, but it does not specify who should receive what salary – therefore, there must be a separate mechanism. It is through the cash register that a budget specifically for salaries will be delegated, he emphasized he.
And he said that several options had been discussed: "If we had obligated hospitals by law to pay these salaries, the three hospital associations said that they would immediately appeal it in court – and it would probably fall because it cannot be blamed on commercial companies to pay higher salaries. The second option – if the Ministry or the government directly gives money to hospitals – would be interpreted as state aid. Therefore, the law will determine what the minimum rates are by specialist groups. But the directors said that they do not have the funds. Therefore, now the transfer from the republican budget to the treasury and the payment from the treasury will guarantee that the money will go to salaries".
According to him, the minimum salaries of doctors will be listed in the Law on Medical Institutions, which was almost ready. Most likely, the amount will be a percentage of the average salary, since "that is the fairest way, and it will not be necessary to make changes every year".
Professor Chorbanov also explained that "most likely there will be an increase in the fee for general practitioners". "This will become clear soon. The coalition is pragmatic and has different points of view – left, right, centrist. It is normal. An agreement will be reached. It is clear that the system is under pressure. On the one hand, the accessibility of healthcare is an advantage, but also a problem – because the system is overloaded. I would not say specific numbers – I am not an accountant. The question is the philosophy – the system should work well, without restricting access for the poor and pensioners, but also without being overloaded", he pointed out.
Chorbanov also commented on the planned changes to the School and Preschool Education Act. "This is a huge law and there are many changes. It has already passed the first vote. Today we formed working group, which will consider all submitted proposals and seek consensus on the main issues. From “There is such a people“ we propose the introduction of a mandate for directors – two terms of 4 years. This will limit the “feudalization“ of schools and will motivate younger teachers to develop. The counterpoint is that in small settlements it is difficult to find candidates for directors, but there is an opportunity for temporary acting directors. The mandate is logical – all state bodies have mandates: president, prosecutor general, Constitutional Court, rectors, deans and others”, he emphasized.
And he added: –We also propose changes in the method of evaluating teacher work. Currently, the attestation is done every 4 years, which is too long a period. The coalition proposes that this be done every year, and our proposal is every 2 years”.
With regard to students who commit serious violations, he explained that there is a possibility of removal from the educational process for up to 3 days, but necessarily within the school – under the supervision of a teacher.
"It should be known that we have a governing coalition agreement, which very clearly states which ministry does what and how it works. We are quite focused on the work of our ministries and we help them in every way, of course, not only them.
So the main thing that is important for us is that these ministries implement the programs set from the very beginning – and they do it", he commented on the remark of GERB leader Boyko Borisov from a few weeks ago that there were "concession ministries".
He was categorical that there was no reformatting of the government. And he emphasized that this is a minority coalition. "Support is sought from absolutely every party regarding all the policies that we are trying to implement – not only regarding the budget, but also in all areas. Here, in the Committee on Education and Science, we are trying to involve everyone, even opposition parties, in decisions that would be useful. So the fact that the DPS “New Beginning“ decide to support these policies is their right. Many of the things are also supported by the opposition parties," pointed out the MP from the ITN.