The Law That Caused Total Chaos in the Healthcare System!
Imagine thousands of people losing their health insurance because of one law! Yes, you read that right! Over the past two years, about 30,000 citizens lost their health coverage due to a legal obligation requiring unemployed individuals to personally visit the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO) every three months to renew their insurance status.
What Happened?
The Law on Mandatory Health Insurance, dubbed a “healthcare reform” by then-Minister Vili Beroš, introduced a rule that unemployed persons not registered in the HZZO records must personally appear at the HZZO counter every three months to renew their insurance. Failure to do so results in automatic loss of coverage.
Official data shows that by June 29, 2022, around 29,000 people missed the deadline to report, and by May 31, 2023, over 30,000 citizens were deregistered from the system.
Constitutional Court? Where Are You?
The Ombudswoman, Tena Šimonović Einwalter, filed a request for constitutional review of this law on June 29, 2021. Yet, the Constitutional Court has not issued a decision, even though the legal deadline is a maximum of two years.
This silence is shocking given the law’s massive impact on thousands of lives. Some lost insurance due to procedural reasons, like illness or lack of information.
The Consequences?
Imagine a woman who had to go to the HZZO counter the day after chemotherapy just to keep her insurance! That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Many lost their right to healthcare despite being unemployed and entitled to coverage.
Minister Beroš, meanwhile arrested in a major healthcare corruption scandal, failed to fix the problem. Amendments effective April 1, 2023, introduced some exceptions but the problem persists.
Who Is Exempt?
Certain groups, like unemployed mothers on maternity leave, people with disabilities, and those unable to appear for justified reasons, are now exempt from the personal reporting obligation. But what about everyone else?
Also, people who lost their status as regular students must now personally report every three months if they have no other insurance.
Information? Ha!
Although HZZO sent written notices, many citizens were unaware of this obligation. How will those who already lost insurance be informed now? Who decides if a reason is justified?
Paradoxically, a seriously ill person without a phone or internet must personally come to find out they lost insurance!
What Next?
The Ombudswoman stresses the need to seriously consider arguments and proposals for law amendments. HZZO must issue deregistration decisions so citizens can appeal and contest if they have valid reasons for missing deadlines.
This law is a prime example of how bureaucracy can ruin ordinary lives. Is this healthcare reform or oppression?
Conclusion
While the Constitutional Court remains silent, thousands lose health insurance due to unrealistic legal procedures. The system meant to protect citizens now punishes them for failing to comply with absurd rules.
If you or someone you know lost insurance, share your story. Maybe together we can make some noise and force the authorities to finally fix this mess! Or at least wake up the Constitutional Court.
What do you think? Law or nightmare? Drop a comment, crack a joke, or just join the chat — let the people’s voice be heard!
