MP Ferhat: "It is unjust for citizens to lose insurance due to €200-€300 debts to EFKA
Rhodopi MP Özgür Ferhat of the New Left Party has raised concerns over citizens losing their insurance coverage due to small debts, ranging from €200 to €300, owed to EFKA (Unified Social Security Fund). He described this situation as a significant injustice.
In his statement, MP Ferhat urged the Ministers of Health, Labor, and Social Security to respond to questions he posed regarding this issue. He highlighted the plight of hundreds of citizens who, despite only owing small amounts, find themselves uninsured when visiting private clinics, doctors, and diagnostic centers. As a result, they are forced to pay large sums out of pocket for their medical needs.
Ferhat pointed out that a substantial number of farmers and self-employed individuals have struggled in recent years to meet the increasing monthly insurance premiums. Currently, farmers are required to pay a minimum of €141.80, while self-employed workers must pay €249.38 each month without delay.
In addition to these rising costs, those seeking full insurance rights must settle any outstanding debts from previous years, often through a 24-installment payment plan. Due to these small debts, many citizens are deprived of their insurance benefits and are left with no choice but to seek appointments within the public health system. However, the severe staff shortages in both health centers and hospitals make securing an appointment nearly impossible.
For example, appointments at the Alexandroupolis University Hospital are released periodically and are quickly fully booked, leaving many patients without access to medical care for months.
As a result, many citizens are unable to receive timely medical consultations, treatments, or prescriptions.
In light of these circumstances, MP Ferhat has posed the following questions to the Ministers of Health, Labor, and Social Security:
Are there any immediate measures planned to prevent thousands of citizens from losing their insurance due to small debts?
Will you work towards finding a sustainable solution to support the hundreds of thousands of struggling self-employed individuals and farmers?
Are there plans to offer citizens the option to repay their debts over a greater number of installments?
As of March 1, 2024, how many insured individuals (farmers, self-employed, and freelancers) have lost their insurance rights?
