Romanian Family Doctors Resume Issuing Compensated, Free Medicine

The announcement was made Wednesday evening by National Health Insurance House (CNAS) president Lucian Duta, who said an understanding had been reached after more than 12 hours of negotiations. The agreement was set down in a protocol between CNAS and family doctors, also signed on Wednesday.

Union leader Doina Mihaila said the new healthcare contract is the first step towards reform in 20 years.

Family Doctors’ Association president Rodica Tanasescu said the protocol „aims to solve technical problems which were left out because of haste.”

Romanian family doctors announced on April 1 that they would not sign the new frame contract until the primary healthcare system receives more money. Furthermore, family doctor associations announced they would no longer prescribe compensated and free medicine, because the new contract had been approved without their input.

The National Association for Patient Protection had asked that the contract’s implementation be delayed for three months, to allow more time for debates attended by family doctors.

The frame contract on healthcare in 2010 was approved by the Government in its March 31 meeting and was published in the Official Journal on April 1.