Opinion of the JHA Strategic Board for Health

The Strategic Council of the Health Insurance Fund (GZS) held discussions with Health Minister Dr. Tadej Osterc on July 15, 2026, focusing on key priorities for the Ministry of Health and the role of the private sector as a development partner in modernizing the healthcare system. The council emphasized that the main directions outlined in the coalition agreement align significantly with the views of the business community, particularly regarding reducing absenteeism, shortening waiting times, digitizing healthcare, and strengthening the patient's role. For the success of reforms, the implementation, measurement of results, clear responsibility, financial sustainability, and realistic timelines will be decisive factors. According to Mitja Gorenšček, CEO of the Healthcare Business Association, the private sector has high expectations from the healthcare system but is also prepared to take on the responsibility of a partner in its development. He stated that the future of healthcare must be co-created by the state, companies, and employees alike, emphasizing that all parties desire a healthier and more vital society, which is essential for individual quality of life as well as better functioning of both the economy and the country. Aleš Bizjak, president of the Strategic Council, highlighted that the private sector plays a multi-layered role in relation to healthcare. As a major contributor to insurance premiums, it supports the stability of the system. Its results are directly felt through the health and work activity of employees. Moreover, the private sector wishes to be a strategic partner in developing the healthcare system. Bizjak noted that healthcare is not merely a public service or expense but a strategic infrastructure for a successful economy and resilient society. Dr. Osterc mentioned during the meeting that he does not want another attempt at reforming healthcare but rather its reorganization. He explained that Slovenia has excellent healthcare professionals, knowledge, and high-quality medical care, collecting considerable funds per patient. However, the issue lies in access to healthcare services and long waiting times. He clarified that reorganizing healthcare means transforming key pillars of the system toward achieving greater efficiency in Slovenian hospitals and healthcare institutions. This involves management based on data and clearly defined performance outcomes, investment in further digitization, reduction of administrative burdens, and more professional business leadership of healthcare facilities. Osterc emphasized the need for further regulation of absenteeism, noting that initial progress had already been made. From the perspective of development opportunities in Slovenia, he highlighted the importance of the biopharmaceutical industry, which is a significant global partner. Due to the potential for further development of this industry in Slovenia and the production of such medicines for patients, the ministry will strive for appropriate regulation to enable this sector’s growth. Additionally, he pointed out the importance of ensuring critical medications, which are lacking in Slovenia due to the small market size. Members of the council noted that the new coalition agreement includes numerous important orientations for improving the Slovenian healthcare system. However, the success of these reforms will depend primarily on their effective implementation in practice. Particularly encouraging is the inclusion of placing the patient at the center, strengthening primary care levels, solutions for reducing absenteeism, shortening waiting times, incorporating all available healthcare capacities under the condition of comparable quality standards and oversight, digitizing healthcare, transferring hospital subsidies after the 20th working day to the healthcare fund, more efficient workforce planning, and administrative relief. According to data from the Healthcare Insurance Fund of Slovenia (ZZZS), in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year, there were approximately 650,000 fewer lost workdays (230,000 fewer in the burden of the healthcare fund and 420,000 fewer in the burden of employers). ZZZS estimates this reduction to be around 55 million euros in savings (20 million euros in the public healthcare fund and 35 million euros for employers). These figures confirm that thoughtful systemic measures can simultaneously improve the efficiency of the healthcare system while reducing economic burdens.