Czech Ministry of Health announces reforms for elderly care and insurance

The Czech Ministry of Health is introducing measures to improve medical access for seniors. Starting March 1, 2027, the ministry plans to support at least 15 specialized geriatric clinics across the country, with one-third located in Prague. These clinics will receive up to three million CZK each from European funds to provide holistic care for elderly patients.

Separately, ODS shadow health minister Štěpán Slovák has criticized the current healthcare system as inefficient and reminiscent of socialist structures. He proposed transforming large hospitals into joint-stock companies and reforming the health insurance system. His proposed model includes individual accounts for the insured, featuring both fixed and variable components to allow for greater participation from employers and insurers. Slovák also argued that the current system discriminates against the middle class by limiting the ability of patients to pay for supplemental services or higher-quality medical materials.