In May 2009, ACRI, Physicians for Human Rights and the Adva Center sent a letter to all members of Knesset, outlining sections of the Economic Arrangement Bill 2009-2010 that challenge equality in health services and overlook the general public interest. [The Economic Arrangement Bill is a set of directives and amendments compiled by the government and brought to Knesset for approval alongside the Annual Budget.]
Since the formation of a new Israeli government headed by Binyamin Netanyahu, several new drafts of the Arrangement Bill have been presented, confirming that ACRI and its associates have been successful in abolishing central problematic health clauses that appeared in earlier drafts of the bill. Most of the key issues ACRI was combating during the previous Knesset assembly were taken out of the bill, a sign of how collaboration with other organizations and focused lobbying can bear fruit and result in making a real difference that will have positive effects on the Israeli health system for years to come.
For example, a proposition to collect a 50 NIS fixed charge for every day of hospitalization – which is at present fully covered by the health funds – was previously suggested and later dropped. This measure would have harmed first and foremost those who cannot afford to pay additional costs, preventing the weakest segments of society from receiving an essential service such as hospital treatment.
No to Establishing a Profit-Driven Health Fund: One key initiative ACRI successfully fought was the establishment of a fifth health fund, which unlike the other four, which are non-profits, would be profit-driven. ACRI presented position papers explaining its strong opposition to the initiative and conducted targeted lobbying, enlisting the support of the Deputy Health Minister and the Knesset Speaker. If this idea were to be implemented, ACRI warned, it would place privatization in the heart of the public health system. Establishing a profitable health fund would mean risking a deterioration of health service quality in the four non-profit health funds – affecting each and every Israeli citizen.
