Last update - 00:00 19/11/2007
Panel rejects health care plan for children with no legal status
By Yuval Azoulay, Haaretz Correspondent
The Ministerial Committee for Legislation on Sunday rejected a bill that would apply the National Insurance Law to children who have no legal status in Israel.
Among these children are those of migrant workers, those of Palestinians living in Israel as part of family reunification, and those of citizens of the Commonwealth of Independent States living in Israel.
The bill, proposed by Dov Khenin (Hadash), Sheli Yachimovich (Labor) and others would ensure that every child born in Israel or present in the country for more than three months would receive medical services as per the National Health Law.
The Finance and Interior ministries rejected the bill, citing concern over increased illegal immigration and increased costs to health maintenance organizations, which would seek additional government funding.
The committee said such children's needs are addressed by an arrangement allowing them and their parents to receive medical coverage from the Meuhedet HMO for a monthly fee.
Khenin said the state had to provide medical care to such children in the framework of international agreements. "The decision to reject the bill shows the low moral level we are at," he said.
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