Knesset Backs Litzman on Long-Term Nursing Care Reform

The Knesset Finance Committee members gave backing across all party lines to Health Minister UTJ MK Rabbi Yaakov Litzman’s proposed reforms for the Israeli health-care system.

The committee met in special session Monday on the eve of the publication of a tender for long-term hospital care services, which promises a dramatic improvement in state-funded care for the country’s growing number of elderly citizens.

Rabbi Litzman said that he has “no intention of giving up on this, and it is clear the public supports this reform, despite its cost…”

The government’s long-term hospital and nursing home care services are currently about 400 million shekels short of funds.

Finance Committee Chairman Rabbi Moshe Gafni (United Torah Judaism) said: “As Jews, and as civilized people, we are obligated by the passuk ‘Al tashlicheini l’eis ziknah — Cast me not into old age.’ The matter is also covered in the coalition agreement, and together with all the members of this committee, I support the minister’s plan for this advance in government health coverage.”