Compulsory Social Health Insurance Reform: Reduction in Free Medical Care

Deputies are reviewing a draft law on amendments to Kazakhstan's legislation regarding Compulsory Social Health Insurance (CSHI). The proposed changes aim to redistribute free medical care and health insurance coverage, Orda.kz reports.

Chair of the Committee on Social and Cultural Development, Askhat Aimagambetov, outlined the key reforms.

The draft law was developed in response to the president’s address. It proposes the formation of a unified medical care package by 2027, alongside a reduction in the guaranteed volume of free medical services from 57% to 32%. At the same time, the share of compulsory health insurance will increase to 68%. Additionally, the upper income threshold for employer and employee contributions to the CSHI system is set to rise from 10 times to 50 times the minimum wage,  Aimagambetov stated.

Furthermore, contributions for unemployed individuals and those in crisis or emergency situations will be funded through local budgets. The committee is prepared to develop the draft law further and submit it for final consideration.

Original Author: Ilya Astakhov