Expected Czech patient charges "easily avoidable"

Patient charges expected to be introduced by the Czech Republic's Health Minister, Tomas Julinek, will be easily avoided, according to media commentators. Some reports point out that doctors will only collect charges after treatment and that there are no regulations in place to apply sanctions for non-payment.

Mr Julinek is being asked by ministerial colleagues to build sanctions into the new legislation. However, some commentators are arguing that the whole idea of patient charges runs counter to the constitution and patients who refuse to pay might be successful in winning cases in the courts. The Health Minister wants to apply a charge of $1.43 per visit to the doctor. A day in hospital would be double that fee and a visit to emergency medical facilities treble.