PM: Romanian Authorities To Draft New Healthcare Bill With Input From Social Partners

According to Boc, the team to work on a new bill aiming to reform the country's healthcare system will gather representatives of social partners, patients' associations, the civil society and of the Doctors' College.

The prime minister said in the news conference that former Health Ministry deputy secretary of state Dr. Raed Arafat is welcome to join the ministry again and participate in drawing up a new bill.

Arafat resigned last week due to his opposition to the emergency care provisions of the previous healthcare bill, which was put up for public debate in late December and withdrawn on the request of President Traian Basescu Friday evening, after popular demonstrations against it.

Boc said Sunday the ruling coalition on Monday will discuss developing a new bill on healthcare reform, which will not shut down or privatize the emergency services.

Arafat's resignation sparked protests and marches countrywide. Eventually, protests turned against the government's policies - cuts in salaries and welfare benefits, higher taxes - as well as the widespread corruption. In Bucharest, protests degenerated into violent demonstrations and security forces had to answer with force. Dozens of people were injured and required medical care.

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