Antena 3 CNN Politics Senate endorses bribe-taking in public hospitals

Senate endorses bribe-taking in public hospitals

Senate endorses bribe-taking in public hospitals
Sursa foto: Foto: drugwatch.com
de M.Z.    |    24 Aug 2015   •   10:10

How does the Government want to legalize bribe-taking by doctors? One hasn't given an answer to this question yet, although Prime Minister Victor Ponta announced that doctors may pocket the famous cash envelopes only after the medical intervention has been carried out, and the money would be subject to taxation. In case you didn't hear about it, here is the law that makes bribe-taking in hospitals legal. 

 
A draft signed by Health Minister Nicolae Bănicioiu was silently passed by the Senate as early as June, and the law was quickly tabled in the Chamber of Deputies, which is the decision-maker. 
 
This law practically leaves the door wide open for medical services to be paid in public hospitals. 
 
The Law passed by the Senate stipulates that, in public hospitals and dispensaries, doctors can provide additional medical services to be paid by the patients. 
 
In addition to it, the doctors extending cuch services don't necessarily have to work in the respective hospital. MDs from other medical units can be brought in, upon the request of the patient.
 
After pocketing this "extra" money, doctors must declare them to Fiscal Authorities and pay an income tax on it. In order to avoid the situation when a doctor hides his incomes, he will provide his services only after signing a contract with the patient. 
 
Representatives of the Patients Association claim that, under this Law, patients also suffer discrimination. The poor will be at the bottom of the waiting list, whereas the wealthy ones will be treated by the best doctors. 
 
In turn, doctors representatives labelled this Government initiative to legalize bribe-taking in hospitals as an "act of disdain", not only towards the medical staff but towards patients most of all.

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Subiecte în articol: Nicolae Banicioiu
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