The National Health Insurance Fund Budget Bill for 2018 has passed first reading in Parliament. MPs have voted by 125 to 88 in favour of the Bill.

The Budget and Finance Committee report indicates that the expected revenues and transfers to the budget of the Fund amount to 3,860,000,000 BGN, 407.2 million BGN more than 2017.

The projected revenues from health insurance contributions are 3,818,500,000 BGN, 404.7 million BGN more than 2017. The total revenues and transfers for 2018 are projected at 3,860,000,000 BGN, 407.2 million BGN more than last year.

Out of a total of 3,735,800,000 BGN for operating expenses, the largest share is dedicated to healthcare costs, which are projected at 3,662,100,000 BGN in 2018, 630,100,000 BGN more than 2017. These resources are planned to be allocated as follows:  207.2 million BGN for primary outpatient care (7.2 million BGN more than 2017); 222.3 million BGN for specialised outpatient care (10.0 million BGN more than 2017); 157 million BGN for dental care (10.0 million BGN more than 2017); 80 million BGN for medical diagnostics (2.5 million BGN more than 2017); 1 billion BGN for drug and medicinal products and dietary foods for special medical purposes for home treatment across the country, and drug products for hospital treatment of malignant diseases, covered by the National Health Insurance Fund beyond the costs for medical services (201.4 million BGN more than 2017); 98 million BGN for medicinal products used in hospital care (18 million BGN more than 2017); 1,824,600,000 BGN for hospital care (367.1 million BGN more than 2017); 73 million BGN for other healthcare costs (13 million BGN more than 2017).

The National Assembly also adopted at first reading amendments to the VAT Act.