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Prof. Andrey Chorbanov
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A new division is forming in the ruling coalition amid scandals over the election of a BNB governor and the sending of military aid to Ukraine. This time the reasons are completely contrary to the changes agreed by the government in the Health Act, which “There is such a people” have introduced. They must settle the measures in the country after the state of emergency is lifted.
The changes are to be considered in the parliamentary health committee at second reading this week. It is envisaged to allow the Minister of Health to impose anti-epidemic measures without introducing a state of emergency or an emergency anti-epidemic situation in the country. The idea was to adopt them before April 1, when the emergency epidemic situation disappeared, so as not to create a hole in the imposition of measures – wearing masks indoors, etc. However, the opposition and “There is such a people” insisted that there should be a period of at least 7 days for proposals between the two readings, which in turn led to the lack of any measures in recent days. And at the first reading, Slavi Trifonov’s people warned that they would support the changes in the law only if the texts are specified, because according to them, the Minister of Health is currently given too broad powers to introduce anti-epidemic measures without criteria and deadlines. There were similar remarks from GERB.
According to the text introduced in the law by the ruling party – PP, BSP and DB, the only restrictions that the Minister of Health will have are not to be able to ban entry and movement in the country, as well as to close malls and restaurants. “Anti-epidemic measures may include organizing immunization campaigns, opening temporary immunization centers and setting up on-site immunization teams,” the texts said.
However, the opposite is suggested by “There is such a people”. “Anti-epidemic measures cannot include mandatory vaccination campaigns, mandatory tests, wearing protective equipment and any form of prohibition or permitting certificates,” reads the texts proposed by ITN MP Andrei Chorbanov between the two readings. He is “against” the proposals of the government to be able to wear masks again and to present a green certificate at the border. In addition, the immunologist proposes to introduce a period of 21 days for the measures. There is no such at the moment.
Apart from the coalition partners, there is also a problem with the NHIF. The fund is dissatisfied with the texts that they will continue to be able to conclude contracts with hospitals and other providers of medical care who do not meet the conditions for this. Thus, new contractual partners of the National Health Insurance Fund may appear, which are not provided for and the funds are not unlimited, warned its manager Prof. Petko Salchev. This, in turn, could lead to additional budget expenditures that have not been calculated, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Asen Vassilev.
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