UNION AGAINST CANCELLATION OF ADDITIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE

ZAGREB, Feb 6 (Hina) - The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Croatia (SSSH) has opposed Health Minister Andrija Hebrang's announcement of cancellation of additional health insurance, stating the decision will affect sick and elderly people, especially pensioners with low income.#L# The announced decision means that the weak, sick and old will have to pay more for health services or will not be allowed to use them, the SSSH said in a statement. The claim that additional health insurance, which in itself is a blow to the living standards of pensioners and people with low income, is the cause of the huge increase in health spending and consumption of medicines, has not been substantiated with publicly available data, the union said in a statement. "Does the rash announcement of replacing additional health insurance with private insurance mean that the new government has opted for reintroducing the cynical concept of health policy where the right to health care is enjoyed by those who have money?" reads the statement. The union considers the minister's decision unacceptable also because it annuls the practice of dialogue and cooperation between the authorities and social partners with regard to issues of public interest. The right to health is a universal human right, which in a civilised society must not depend on the individuals' financial status, the union said. (Hina) rml