Summary reached between health and finance ministries will enable the completion of next year's basketwork • Litzman: "This is important news for the sick public and the health system"
Illustration Illustration: GettyImages
The Finance and Health Ministries have reached a conclusion that will enable the completion of the basket work by 2020, in the amount of NIS 500 million, as part of the resources in the ongoing budget. The summary is after publications about the battle of versions between the offices on a special summary. The Treasury noted that the entire budget increase will be funded by the Ministry of Health's budget.
Deputy Minister of Health MK Yaakov Litzman welcomed the decision, saying: "This is important news for the sick public and the health system. I made it clear all along that we could not get an extra basket of less than half a billion shekels. That's the system's highest commitment. "
Chairman of the Hessel Committee: "We will not be able to reach all life-saving drugs" // Photo: Hadassah spokesmen
"We have struggled to adequately budget the drug basket, under simple conditions, during the transition government, given that the agreement with the Treasury on the basket budget was finalized last year and a recapitulation for the basket budget 2020 is required. Allocating half a billion shekels to the drug basket will allow the basket committee to continue its work properly, with commitment To include life-saving drugs for Israel's citizens, "Litzman said.
The chairman of the basket committee Prof. Ze'ev Rothstein also commented on the budget approval and expressed pessimism: "For me, I still expect another NIS 200 million. At 500 million, we will not be able to reach all life-saving drugs. I appeal to decision makers to consider raising the basket. Think how many patients we will save from death and how much we will improve the health of Israeli residents. "
"I made it clear that we will not be able to receive an extra basket of less than half a billion shekels" // Photo: Oren Ben Hakun
Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon welcomes approval of the drug basket budget: "The third election campaign presents us with challenges in managing the state budget. I am pleased that we have found the necessary solution so that there is no harm to the drug basket and citizens. We will continue to work with all government offices so that citizens do not suffer as a result. From the political plunderer and the third election campaign. "
More on:
Debates between the Treasury and Health Ministries on the drug basket
The CEO, the basket committee and the concern for conflict of interest in the drug basket committee
"A company that doesn't lower prices will stay out"
A treasury official added: "We did the opposite. Instead of talking about adding money to the Ministry of Health this time, we scoured within the Ministry of Health's ongoing budget and found money for the basket. For example, at the expense of a cut in the office's headquarters."
Health Ministry Director-General Moshe Bar Siman said: "The State of Israel will continue to fulfill its commitment to Israeli residents by continuing to include the drugs and treatments needed to save lives and improve the quality of life of Israeli patients."