Shorter Surgical Waits a Priority for 2017

Health Minister Rabbi Yaakov Litzman (UTJ) has declared that shortening the wait time for surgical operations will be a priority for 2017, according to The Jerusalem Post.

Outlining his plan for more efficient hospital care, Rabbi Litzman said that anyone who has waited a “long time” — defined as 30 days for the most urgent procedures at a hospital where the patient’s health fund has an agreement — should be entitled to transfer to another hospital where earlier treatment is available.

In non-urgent cases, “if he finds a hospital where the wait is at least 60 days shorter than the one with which his health fund (has an agreement), he can go there for the operation.”

The minister also set a goal for reduction of red tape in placement for geriatric nursing. Digitalization is expected to make it necessary to fill out forms only once, rather than the current norm of three or four times. He also will seek to reduce the burden both of financing for geriatric hospitalization.

Rabbi Litzman added that subsidies will be given to people suffering from celiac disease who require food without gluten, which are much more expensive than regular foods.
Continuing his signature campaign against junk food, Rabbi Litzman also displayed new symbols for healthy (low salt, fat and sugar) foods, and non-healthy ones that will soon appear on product labels.

This article appeared in print in the February 15th, 2017 edition of Hamodia.