BRATISLAVA, August 15, (WEBNOVINY) – It will most likely cost the state EUR 350 million to settle the debt of hospitals in connection with their transformation from budget-subsidized organizations to joint-stock companies. The Finance Ministry proposes this sum to be released from the state’s financial assets within the material on financial stability of health care facilities. At the end of March of this year, overdue liabilities of state-run hospitals were to represent EUR 240 million, while liabilities before maturity were to reach the same volume. According to previous statements of Finance Minister Ivan Miklos, not only the state’s financial assets, but also reserves of the government privatization agency, the National Property Fund (FNM), were to be used for settlement of the hospitals‘ debts. Proceeds from their privatization were then expected to refill the FNM’s coffers.
It seems that health care facilities will hear more good news. According to a resolution on the material, the state wants to forgive them the refundable financial assistance provided to 25 hospitals in late 2009, which however had problems with settling the assistance. This measure is expected to reduce the state financial assets by EUR 130 millions. The hospitals were to return some 7.684 million in interest in three installments to date. In June, repaid interest reached only EUR 2.922 million.
Debts of state-operated medical facilities should mostly be settled this year. Finance Minister Ivan Miklos said in July that since the volume of sources for settling debts of hospitals is limited and lower than overall demands, claims of primary creditors of medical facilities would be satisfied first.
The revision to the law on health insurance companies that took effect in April of this year facilitates transformation of state-run hospitals to joint stock companies. Hospitals have time to do so by the end of the year while the deadline can be moved forward by six months in justified cases. The state will be a founder and a 100-percent shareholder of the future joint stock companies and the Health Ministry or a respective ministry, e.g. the Transport or Defense Ministry, will act on their behalf. New joint stock companies will be responsible for all liabilities and claims as well as obligations towards employees.
SITA