Analysis: The discriminatory Distribution of Money to Hospitals

The draft law on financial consolidation and reorganization of public health institutions in the Federation caused a storm in the public. So, as things stand, it is the result of the political trade-offs of the rulers. The planned way of distributing 225 million BAM of budget money implies that the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, and therefore Herzegovina, is worth more than six cantons in the Federation. Or more than Tuzla and Canton Sarajevo together. And it sends a very clear message – that in this country, conscious non-payment of public revenues is rewarded.

”The law on consolidation is needed by all health institutions, not just the Mostar hospital. We don’t have so much more debts compared to others. Maybe I’m speaking a little more honestly,”Ante Kvesic said, director of University Clinical Hospital of Mostar.

Rijad Zaid, President of the Expert Council of the General Hospital Prim. Dr. Abdulah Nakas Sarajevo said: ”The goal was to give 63 million BAM, or at least 63 million, to University Clinical Hospital Mostar, and then it was given to everyone else. This is a classic arrogance of pests that keep our country captive.”

It is interesting, however, that three hospitals in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, which according to the last census had slightly more than 222 thousand inhabitants, should receive 83 million BAM, which is six million more than for all thirteen hospitals in six cantons, in which according to the last census, more than a million inhabitants live. And what is also the amount intended together for the Hospital for Lung Diseases and the Croatian Hospital Fr. Mato Nikolic in Nova Bila, which, in addition to saving the lives of thousands of patients in the pandemic, did not forget to pay obligations to the state. This distribution, they say, justifiably causes fear.

Adoption of partial legal solutions, such as those on the financial consolidation of railways, companies, mines, the Law on writing off debts to sports teams, is not a solution, according to the Federal Tax Administration. Their bill on partial debt write-off, offered in 2018, which would apply to everyone, regardless of ownership, with clear criteria, was not accepted.

”The criteria according to which someone is classified according to any of these laws are very questionable – for that reason, I think that this area should be regulated from the aspect of fairness, equality, transparency, elimination of discrimination between taxpayers,” said Serif Isovic, director of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) Tax Administration.

But, the rulers talk about equality and discrimination only when their positions are endangered. Therefore, the logical question arises – is this a concern for patients, citizens, people, or only and exclusively politics?

E.Dz.

Source: Federalna