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The House of Representatives approved an urgent amendment to the General Healthcare System (GESY) on Thursday afternoon, with 37 votes in favor and 3 against. The bill was introduced to close a legal gap revealed by a recent Administrative Court ruling, which had allowed non-contracted doctors to issue prescriptions within GESY.
Under the new law, only doctors and dentists contracted with the Health Insurance Organization (HIO) can issue prescriptions and referrals, ensuring the system's unified operation. The three MPs who voted against were Zacharias Koulias (DIKO), and Linos Papayiannis and Sotiris Ioannou (ELAM).
The bill sparked heated debates in Parliament, with some lawmakers raising concerns about its long-term impact on the health system. EDEK President Marinos Sizopoulos criticized the amendment as a distortion of the law, arguing that the Administrative Court's ruling was justified. He suggested that allowing prescriptions outside of GESY could help reduce waiting lists and save resources.
Other MPs, including DIKO's Chrysanthos Savvidis and Democratic Alignment (DIPA)'s Michalis Yiakoumis, supported the bill, praising the government's swift response to the issue. DISY's Averof Neophytou expressed concerns about GESY's sustainability, emphasizing the need for proper control and strategic planning to avoid destabilizing public finances.
DIPA's Alekos Tryfonidis called for radical reforms within GESY, pointing out the rising system costs and lack of sufficient control. AKEL MP Giorgos Loucaides strongly criticized the decision allowing non-GESY prescriptions, warning of potential abuse and increased costs.
Despite the criticism, the bill passed, reinforcing the government's stance on preserving GESY's integrity while addressing key operational challenges.
