The Association of Hospitals of Slovakia (ANS) in cooperation with other health organizations filed a complaint with the European Commission for Discriminatory Application of Transaction Tax in Health Care. The complaint concerns unequal treatment of medical facilities, as some healthcare providers are exempt from this tax, but others have to pay it. TASR informed Ains.
“The sector has united because we still did not receive any relevant answers. It is a discrimination and a breach of competition. Yet no one in the same sector cannot be exempted from some duty and the other does not“said the first Vice President Ans Igor Pramuk.
According to Ans, it is not possible for state hospitals to have an exception to the transaction tax, while private healthcare providers and non -state hospitals have to fulfill this obligation. “This practice creates unequal conditions in the sector and may endanger the availability of healthcare for patients“she pointed out.
He expects a rapid response to the European Commission, which has already dealt with similar cases of unfair approach in health care in the past. “In the past, when we filed a complaint as part of the renewal plan, the European Commission responded very quickly. We expect to deal with this issue without delay, “ Dodal Pramuk.
The new tax on financial transactions was approved by Parliament last fall, and the changes were already criticized by representatives of hospitals and outpatient clinics. The law is effective from 1 January 2025, but the first tax period will be only April. Entrepreneurs will pay a new tax, it does not apply to ordinary citizens. In the case of the health sector, it will affect most healthcare providers, except for state contributory organizations. Representatives of the AZZZ SR also discuss the issue with the Ministry of Health. This has previously confirmed that it is also negotiating with the Ministry of Finance to find a solution.
