"The Socialist faction decided late on Tuesday that the party (MSZP) would table a new bill to overhaul the health insurance act, according to which private capital would not be allowed in the would-be five to seven state-owned health insurance funds.The new bill will be introduced to Parliament only if the liberal Free Democrats (SZDSZ) break up the coalition at the end of April, as promised.
The MSZP faction plans to nullify the sections on the involvement of private capital in health insurance fund, a feature promoted heavily by SZDSZ. Until the end-April “deadline" the execution of the related parts of the act passed in February will be suspended.
Two questions arise in respect of the Socialists' plan. The first is whether MSZP could receive support from the liberals to withdraw the act or delay its putting into practice. Secondly, it is also questionable how MSZP would obtain majority in Parliament to pull its plan through, local daily Népszabadság reported on Wednesday.
MSZP still hopes SZDSZ will nod on the suspension of the current health care law's execution, as this is apparently the key to avoid another opposition-initiated referendum to take place in the autumn, which builds on people opposing to the presence of private capital in the health care system and also looms another heavy defeat of the governing parties (see the outcome of the 9 March referendum ).
Gabriella Béki of SZDSZ told the paper that her party would at best support putting the law into force later, but would definitely not give a nod on the new version (no private capital).
What seems certain is that MSZP will not amend the current health care law until May, but it will turn out only after reconciliation talks whether the present regulations will be withdrawn altogether or only certain sections will be taken out of the act, index.hu noted."
Source: Portfolio Online Financial Journal
09.04.2008