July 5 the Institute of Contemporary Development hosted a roundtable on the law “On Mandatory Health Insurance: New Prospects or New Problems?”

The discussion was devoted to the law on mandatory health insurance, which gave rise to heated debates within the medical community. The first reading of the law drafted by the Ministry of Social Development of the Russian Federation is scheduled for July 7, 2010.

In his opening remarks Evgeny Gontmakher, a Board member of INSOR, focused on the essence of the document. According to him, there will be no reform as such, since the current inefficient system will only undergo a “plastic surgery”. Adoption of the new law will not enable to choose the optimal healthcare pattern. To achieve it, the state is to conduct opinion polls.

President of the Russian Medical Association, Prof. Dr. Ashot Sarkisyan agreed with Gontmakher’s standpoint and briefed the audience on the activities of the association. He also said that the majority of medical professionals welcome the revision of the healthcare pattern, regardless of deep-rooted conservatism.

Yuri Komarov, member of the Presidium of the Russian Medical Academy, focused on the vague elements of the new draft legislation, e.g. emergency aid cannot be provided without a health insurance certificate (for this reason one is to carry it along all the time); a right to choose a doctor in order to ensure competition; the Government’s decisions being above the laws etc. Yuri Komarov believes that a clear system can ensure successful functioning of medical institutions. Consequently, there should be a national healthcare system financed through the budget and a targeted tax.

According to Dmitry Venediktov representing the Medical Association of Russia, The Institute of Contemporary Development should serve as a link between doctors, experts, insurers, economists, lawyers and other related parties.

The general results of the meeting will be handed to Dmitry Medvedev, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Institute of Contemporary Development.