The National Health Fund (CNS) is projected to spend significantly more this year than it will receive in contributions, with a deficit of €126 million expected. This ongoing trend has raised concerns that, as early as next year, the CNS’s reserves could fall below the legally required minimum of ten percent.
To avoid this scenario, government officials are seeking ways to curb expenditure, with sick leave identified as one area for potential savings.
It is important to note, however, that sick leave represents only a fraction of the CNS’s total outlays. Of the more than €5 billion spent annually, roughly €1.5 billion goes to hospitals, making them the system’s biggest expense by far. Hospital costs increased by 6.5%, closely mirroring the overall rise in spending.
While the €365 million spent on sick leave only ranks fifth, it saw the sharpest annual jump at 10.8 percent. In light of this, Democratic Party (DP) MP Gérard Schockmel proposed on Wednesday that doctors who issue an above-average number of sick notes should be made more aware of their prescribing patterns.
We heard a quick review from Tom on the Jalen Ngonda gig at Rotondes last night, and it's Ascension day tomorrow, so no live show, but still some great recorded shows for you to wile away the holiday!
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