In a late-night session that stretched into the early hours of Thursday, Croatian lawmakers engaged in an intense debate over the operations of the private clinic Medikol and its collaboration with the state health insurance fund, HZZO. The discussion centered around allegations of potential irregularities in the financing and contractual agreements between the clinic and public healthcare institutions. This marked the first significant parliamentary scrutiny of Medikol’s activities since its emergence as a prominent player in Croatia's healthcare landscape.
The controversy was sparked by a proposal from the parliamentary group Možemo, which called for the establishment of an investigative commission to examine Medikol’s business practices with HZZO. The motion highlighted concerns about possible legal violations and financial mismanagement, particularly regarding the use of public funds allocated for diagnostic services. These services, funded by the national budget, are typically meant to support public hospitals but have instead been directed towards private entities such as Medikol.
During the debate, representatives from the opposition party SDP emphasized their stance that the issue lies not in the existence of private healthcare facilities per se, but rather when these institutions exploit the public system. They argued that private healthcare should complement, not undermine, the public sector. According to SDP representative Mirela Ahmetović, the European model demonstrates how private healthcare can support public systems through structured partnerships, unlike the current situation in Croatia.
Ahmetović drew a compelling analogy during her speech, comparing the choice between purchasing a car outright or renting one from a neighbor at a higher cost annually. She suggested that just as it would be more economical to buy a car than rent it, it would make more sense for the government to invest in equipping public hospitals rather than funding private clinics that generate substantial profits each year.
The debate also touched upon specific issues related to Medikol's operations. It was noted that the clinic had leased space within the Rijeka University Hospital without conducting a public tender process, a point also raised by the State Audit Office. Additionally, there were concerns about the lack of approval from the Ministry of Health for contracts signed between Medikol and the hospital, suggesting that the clinic might be operating without proper legal backing.
Minister of Health Irene Hrstić responded to these allegations by stating that the necessary approvals had indeed been obtained, although she did not provide specifics on when they were signed. She assured the parliament that the relevant documents would be shared with them shortly.
Further discussions revealed that the total debt of the healthcare system last year amounted to 722 million euros, raising questions about whether this money could be better utilized to support public hospitals rather than private entities like Medikol, which has consistently reported high profits since Prime Minister Andrej Plenković took office.
SDP representative Sandra Benčić elaborated on the gradual nature of privatization, emphasizing that it does not occur overnight but through several steps beginning with underinvestment in public hospital equipment and infrastructure. She warned that the final stage involves outsourcing services to private hospitals, leading to a drain of medical professionals and resources from the public sector, effectively reversing decades of progress made in building a robust public healthcare system.
On the other hand, HDZ representative Mislav Herman defended the role of private healthcare, arguing that it complements the public system where the latter cannot provide adequate services due to high investment costs. He explained that HZZO pays for the service itself, not the private provider, ensuring that patients receive care at no additional cost compared to what they would pay in the public system. Herman also clarified that the Croatian Parliament is not equivalent to the American Congress, thus investigative committees cannot function as organs of criminal prosecution. Instead, he urged members to report any irregularities to the appropriate authorities such as the Office of the Public Prosecutor, the State Inspectorate for Protection of Competition, police, and courts.
As the debate continued, the focus remained on whether the state is benefiting from its investments in private healthcare or if it is inadvertently contributing to the decline of its public healthcare infrastructure. With the formation of an investigative committee still pending, the future direction of this discourse remains uncertain, leaving many questions about the legality and ethics of private healthcare expansion in Croatia unanswered.
4 reports
Telegram.hrIndependentLeft22 hr. agoThe article discusses a parliamentary debate in Croatia regarding the operation of Poliklinika Medikol, a private clinic, and concerns over state funding and potential misuse of public resources. Opposition lawmakers argue that while private healthcare is not inherently problematic, the issue arises when such institutions exploit citizens and receive state funds instead of contributing to public hospitals. SDP representative Mirela Ahmetović criticizes the current system, comparing it to a scenario where citizens pay more for services than they would if publicly funded. She highlights issues such as Medikol renting space at KBC Rijeka without a public tender and contracts lacking ministry approval. The Ministry of Health claims the necessary approvals were obtained but did not provide specific dates. The opposition emphasizes that the privatization of healthcare is a gradual process with significant financial implications for the national health system.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the controversy around private healthcare as exploitative and prioritizes criticism of the current system, particularly highlighting the role of Medikol and the Ministry of Health. It uses emotive language like 'parazitira' (parasites) and emphasizes systemic issues rather than a
Jutarnji listIndependentLeft23 hr. agoThe article discusses concerns raised by opposition members in Croatia regarding the impact of private healthcare institutions, particularly Medikol, on the public healthcare system. They argue that the issue lies not in the existence of private clinics but in their parasitic behavior toward citizens and the state’s financial support. Opposition representative Mirela Ahmetović from SDP criticizes the lack of transparency and legal basis in contracts between Medikol and public hospitals like KBC Rijeka, noting that these agreements were made without public tendering and lack ministry approval. She compares the situation to choosing between buying an expensive car outright versus renting one at a higher cost, highlighting inefficiencies. The opposition also points out that the national healthcare system has accumulated a debt of over 722 million euros, questioning whether public funds should be allocated to private entities rather than improving public infrastructure. They emphasize that privatization is a gradual process, starting with underinvestment in public facilities and ending with outsourcing services to private clinics, leading to the loss of medical staff and resources from
Bias read (Left): The article frames the issue as a systemic failure of the state to properly regulate and fund public healthcare, criticizing the influence of private entities and suggesting that public resources are being misused. It emphasizes the need for oversight and accountability, aligning more closely with a
Net.hrIndependentLeft23 hr. agoThe article discusses a debate in Croatia's parliament over the role of private healthcare institutions, particularly focusing on the case of Medikol, a private clinic. Opposition members argue that the issue lies not in the existence of private clinics but in their exploitation of citizens and the state's financial support to these entities rather than public hospitals. They criticize the lack of transparency and legal basis in contracts between Medikol and public hospitals like KBC Rijeka, which were conducted without a public tender. The opposition highlights concerns about the misuse of public funds and the impact on public healthcare resources. They emphasize that private healthcare should not replace public services and that the state should ensure proper oversight. The discussion includes calls for an investigative body to examine potential irregularities and questions whether the state is adequately investing in public infrastructure.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the issue as a conflict between public and private healthcare, emphasizing the negative impact of private clinics on public services and citizen welfare. It criticizes the government's handling of public funds and suggests systemic issues in the privatization process. The language
N1 HrvatskaIndependentLeft23 hr. agoIn the Croatian Parliament, a heated debate took place regarding the role of private healthcare institutions, particularly focusing on Poliklinika Medikol and its relationship with the state health insurance fund (HZZO). The discussion centered around concerns that private clinics are exploiting public funds rather than contributing to the public healthcare system. SDP representative Mirela Ahmetović criticized the current model, arguing that private healthcare should support, not undermine, the public sector. She highlighted issues such as Medikol leasing space at KBC Rijeka without a public tender and questioned why public hospitals are not similarly equipped with advanced diagnostic tools like PET/CT scanners. The debate also touched on potential legal irregularities in contracts between Medikol and public hospitals, with the Ministry of Health responding that necessary approvals had been obtained but without providing specific timelines. The discussion underscored broader concerns about the gradual privatization of healthcare and its impact on resource allocation and public services.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the issue of private healthcare as a threat to the public system, using critical language toward private entities and emphasizing their exploitation of public resources. It highlights concerns raised by left-leaning parties (SDP and Možemo) about privatization and mismanagement,指责
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