Romanian family doctors threaten protests, retirement following budget cuts

Family doctors in Romania express dissatisfaction with the National Health Insurance House’s proposal to reduce the budget for family medicine by 30%, which will be in effect from 1 February, and are threatening to protest and even retire in retaliation.

Around 100 family doctors from Mureş County already protested for two hours on Tuesday in front of the Prefect’s Institution, Agerpres reported. They have formally requested the retention of tariffs for medical services at the levels established in the last quarter of 2023.

Approximately 4,000 family doctors are over 65, with some expressing a preference for retirement if the proposed 30% reduction is implemented.

“The underfunding is drastic, and it is very difficult to sustain our practices – we cover absolutely everything, staff salaries, contracts, invoices, cleaning staff salaries”, a doctor said.

In addition to the protests, older doctors are contemplating retirement, potentially exacerbating the existing staff shortage crisis in family medicine.

Alternatively, the option of patients covering costs is being considered.

The National Health Insurance House (CNAS) management argues that the institution’s budget is constrained and must be equitably distributed among all healthcare providers.

Health Minister Alexandru Rafila said additional funds will be granted during the budget rectification.

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu assured that “no medical offices will be closed”. He hopes that the newly appointed CNAS president, a family doctor, will initiate negotiations with her colleagues.

MP Oana Cambera, vice president of the REPER party, highlights that these cuts impact medical staff and “have a profoundly negative effect on patients, especially those with moderate and low incomes”.

(Cătălina Mihai | Euractiv.ro)