Matviyenko Proposes Annual Fee for Non-Working Russians in MHI
Valentina Matviyenko, the Speaker of the Federation Council, has sparked debate with a proposal to introduce an annual fee for non-working Russians of working age into the mandatory health insurance system (MHI). The fee aims to address the perceived unfairness of the current system, where working citizens fund medical care for those who could work but choose not to.
Matviyenko believes that there are approximately 10 million people of working age in Russia who are not restricted by health issues, do not work, and do not seek social support, yet still use free medical services. She has proposed a fee of 45,000 rubles per year for this group, aligning with the average amount employers pay for each working employee.
The fee would target healthy Russians of working age who are not officially employed or receive undeclared income. It would not apply to pensioners, children, disabled individuals, or those with health limitations. Matviyenko has tasked relevant committees and ministries for a detailed analysis of this proposal.
The proposal is currently an idea put forth for public discussion, with no hasty decisions planned. Regional budgets, including Moscow, bear significant expenses for MHI for non-working populations. Matviyenko has called for a thoughtful dialogue to find a fair solution to this 'long overdue problem'.
