Last update - 00:00 22/11/2006
Medical unions: Deal on mental treatments saving state cash
By Ruth Sinai, Haaretz Correspondent
The Israel Medical Association on Wednesday called on the government abolish a deal between the Health ministry and the treasury which would transfer responsibility over public mental health treatment from the state to HMO clinics.
The Psychiatry Union and a number of organization representing psychologists and social workers are joining the IMA in its campaign against the deal.
In a press conference Wednesday, the organizations accused the Finance Ministry of attempting to reduce state services in order to save cash, and asked to be included in talks to discuss possibilities for reforms.
According to an agreement reached in September between the Health and Finance ministries, state clinics - which have waiting lists on average of three months and sometimes up to a year - will transfer responsibility for mental health treatment to the HMOs, bringing such treatment in line with all other medical care, which came under the responsibility of the HMOs in 1995.
All state residents will be entitled to receive mental health treatments under the auspices of their HMO packages, as of January 1.