Acting Health Minister Arben Vitia announced on June 1 that the government had decided to implement the Law on Mandatory Health Insurance. He stated that Tuesday marked the first step in this process: the establishment of the Health Insurance Fund of the Republic of Kosovo.
However, the announcement met immediate pushback from political opponents and civil society. Besim Kodra, an LDK candidate for parliament and head of the Patient Rights Association in Kosovo (PRAK), dismissed the move as a pre-election manipulation.
Key Contradictions
Kodra argued that the Health Insurance Fund was established years ago—specifically noting its existence in 2022—and currently employs approximately 50 people. He highlighted a glaring administrative contradiction in the government's decision: "How can an institution be mandated to implement a decision if, according to the same document, it does not exist?"
Public records support the claim that the legal basis for the fund dates back to 2014, when Law No. 04/L-249 on Health Insurance entered into force, establishing the body. Despite this, the system of mandatory contributions has remained largely unimplemented for over a decade.
A Recurring Political Issue
Critics argue that the government is attempting to capitalize on the issue ahead of the June 7 elections. Kodra warned the public not to fall for "electoral fantasies" used to secure votes, noting that after six years, the current administration has still failed to deliver a functional system.
