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Hospitals expect more adequate funding, many have run deficits
Slovenia🏛️ PoliticsCenter9/2/2026

Hospitals expect more adequate funding, many have run deficits

The article discusses financial challenges faced by Slovenian public hospitals, particularly during the first half of the year, resulting in significant deficits. Eleven hospitals, two university clinical centers, and the Uri Soča hospital reported operational losses. The Ministry of Health, led by Minister Tadej Ostrc, has requested action plans for corrective measures from these institutions. Hospitals argue that internal measures alone are insufficient and expect systemic solutions and more adequate funding. They highlight long-term discrepancies between actual healthcare costs and the funds allocated through pricing models and other financing mechanisms. The ministry emphasizes the need for hospitals to identify internal reserves, increase production, and improve efficiency to secure more resources from the Health Insurance Fund (ZZZS). Specific examples include the University Clinical Center Maribor, which experienced a deficit of nearly 12 million euros in the first six months, and the Ljubljana Oncology Institute, which reported a deficit of 3.19 million euros. The article notes that since 2023, inflation has not been factored into healthcare service prices, exacerbating the

Most hospitals in Slovenia will struggle to balance their finances this year without systemic measures, according to assessments made by hospital management. Eleven public hospitals and both university clinical centres have already recorded a combined deficit of around 22 million euros in the first five months of 2026, prompting Health Minister Tadej Ostrc to call for the preparation of financial recovery plans and the search for internal reserves to stabilize operations. Without additional support and unchanged trends, the total deficit could reach between 80 and 100 million euros by the end of the year, he warned. The deadline for submitting these recovery plans expired yesterday. However, two hospitals, Splošna bolnišnica Murska Sobota and Splošna bolnišnica Nova Gorica, have since reported no further losses based on June's performance, meaning they did not need to prepare such plans. The majority of other hospitals and both clinical centres, however, believe that their current operational strategies alone will not suffice to achieve financial equilibrium this year. Only Klinika Golnik has indicated that its proposed measures might be sufficient, including optimizing inventory in pharmacies, rationalizing healthcare services, improving maintenance and training processes, using open procedures for public tenders, systematic price control, and achieving programs set by the Slovenian Healthcare Insurance Fund (ZZZS). According to the Association of Slovenian Healthcare Institutions, the recovery plans developed by hospitals are considered very thorough. The estimated value of all planned measures across all hospitals by the end of this year is approximately 79 million euros. These include cost reductions through material expense optimization and improved organization of staff and external contractors, alongside efforts to increase revenue primarily by completing all ZZZS programs and potentially receiving compensation for excess capacity. Hospitals also aim to generate more funds through commercial activities. Despite these initiatives, the association’s director, Tatjana Jevševar, emphasized that without systemic measures, the situation would remain unresolved. She noted that hospitals desire a more realistic funding model that accounts for all costs associated with healthcare services, which are currently underpaid by the public health fund. “Without collaboration with regulators and systemic measures, the rehabilitation of these institutions won’t succeed,” she stated, highlighting the challenges faced by facilities experiencing greater deficits and operational difficulties. Both clinical centres also face significant hurdles in balancing their finances without systemic interventions. In Ljubljana, the clinical centre identified a shortfall of 4.8 million euros in the first six months. Their proposed measures include optimizing labor costs for employees and students, reducing medication expenses and material stock costs, improving billing for healthcare services, and boosting productivity. They estimate the value of these internal measures by the end of the year to be around 6.5 million euros. Experts warn that cost-cutting measures could compromise the quality and accessibility of healthcare services, reinforcing the necessity of adopting systemic approaches. According to estimates, such measures could provide an additional 10.3 million euros to the clinical centre in Ljubljana this year. In the Maribor Clinical Centre, officials anticipate similar benefits, though specific figures were not detailed in the latest reports.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 3 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

3 reports

Slovenske novice logoSlovenske noviceIndependentCenterFactual 97Objective 889/2/2026
Hospitals expect more adequate funding, many have run deficits

The article discusses financial challenges faced by Slovenian public hospitals, particularly during the first half of the year, resulting in significant deficits. Eleven hospitals, two university clinical centers, and the Uri Soča hospital reported operational losses. The Ministry of Health, led by Minister Tadej Ostrc, has requested action plans for corrective measures from these institutions. Hospitals argue that internal measures alone are insufficient and expect systemic solutions and more adequate funding. They highlight long-term discrepancies between actual healthcare costs and the funds allocated through pricing models and other financing mechanisms. The ministry emphasizes the need for hospitals to identify internal reserves, increase production, and improve efficiency to secure more resources from the Health Insurance Fund (ZZZS). Specific examples include the University Clinical Center Maribor, which experienced a deficit of nearly 12 million euros in the first six months, and the Ljubljana Oncology Institute, which reported a deficit of 3.19 million euros. The article notes that since 2023, inflation has not been factored into healthcare service prices, exacerbating the

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced discussion of the financial issues facing public hospitals, including both the challenges they face and the responses from the Ministry of Health. It does not overtly favor either side but reports on the differing perspectives of the hospitals and the ministry. While

Why factuality (97): This article provides precise figures, such as the 21,695.965 euro deficit and the specific mention of 11 hospitals, including both university clinical centers and URI Soča. It includes additional details like the 12 million euro deficit at UKC Maribor and the 4.5 million euro reduction expected thr

Why objectivity (88): While the article remains largely objective, it does include some evaluative language, such as 'the most losses were created by both university clinical centers,' which introduces a slight emphasis on certain institutions. This could be seen as a minor deviation from strict neutrality, though it sti

Delo logoDeloIndependent🔒CenterFactual 95Objective 909/1/2026
Hospitals expect more adequate funding

Public hospitals in Slovenia faced a financial shortfall of over 21 million euros in the first half of the year, according to Health Minister Tadej Ostrc. Eleven hospitals, including both university clinical centers and URI Soča, reported deficits and were required to submit action plans for corrective measures. Hospital administrators argue that internal cost-cutting measures will not be sufficient and call for systemic changes and improved funding. The Association of Slovenian Healthcare Institutions highlights that the issue stems from a long-term mismatch between the actual costs of healthcare services and the allocated funds. Ostrc emphasized the need for hospitals to implement corrective actions, seek internal reserves, and increase production to secure more funding from the National Health Insurance Fund.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the situation objectively, citing figures from the health minister and statements from hospital administrators and the association representing healthcare institutions. It does not exhibit overtly biased language, one-sided sourcing, or omissions that would indicate a clear lean

Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports the financial deficit of 21.695.965 euros in the first five months of the year, as stated by Minister Tadej Ostrc. It also mentions that 11 hospitals, including both university clinical centers and URI Soča, operated at a loss. The article aligns closely with the cross

Why objectivity (90): The article presents the situation in a neutral tone, reporting statements from hospital management and the Ministry of Health without overt bias. It avoids emotional language and provides context about the systemic issues rather than taking sides. However, it slightly emphasizes the need for system

RTV Slovenija (MMC) logoRTV Slovenija (MMC)State / PublicCenterFactual 92Objective 859/1/2026
Most hospitals will not be able to balance their own operational measures

The article reports on financial challenges faced by hospitals in Slovenia, highlighting that most of them expect to struggle balancing their budgets without systemic measures. The Ministry of Health, led by Minister Tadej Ostrc, has called for cost-saving plans and internal reserves to stabilize operations. As of mid-year, 11 hospitals and two university clinical centers have collectively recorded a shortfall of around 22 million euros. Without additional support, the total deficit could reach between 80 and 100 million euros by year-end. While some hospitals like those in Murska Sobota and Nova Gorica have reported no losses, others, including Klinika Golnik, suggest more comprehensive measures such as optimizing inventory, rationalizing services, and engaging with the Slovenian Healthcare Insurance Fund (ZZZS) are needed. The association of Slovenian healthcare institutions estimates that all proposed measures could save up to 79 million euros by the end of the year.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced view of the financial situation facing Slovenian hospitals, citing both the challenges they face and the potential solutions being considered. It includes quotes from multiple hospital representatives and mentions the involvement of regulatory bodies and the ministry.

Why factuality (92): The article correctly states the approximate 22 million euro deficit among 11 hospitals and both university clinical centers. It references Minister Ostrc’s estimate of potential deficits reaching between 80 and 100 million euros by year-end if no new measures are taken. While it lacks some of the d

Why objectivity (85): The article has a more pronounced editorial tone compared to the others, especially when mentioning Fides being satisfied with the government proposal while others are not. This introduces a clear ideological framing that affects objectivity. Despite this, it still attempts to present multiple persp

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