In the first reading, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine supported the draft law on the liquidation of medical and social expert commissions (MSECs). While the need to reform this system is undeniable, the proposed changes have raised concerns among the patient community.
The draft laws initiated by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Policy have both positive aspects and a number of drawbacks that could negatively affect the lives of people with disabilities.
Read also: Reform of the MSEC System: A New Approach to Assessing Work Capacity and Social Benefits
The main comments of the experts to the draft laws:
- Transferring the functions of the MSEC to hospitals: Instead of solving corruption problems, this may increase the bureaucratic burden on medical staff and create new opportunities for corruption.
- Determination of disability by rehabilitation specialists: Shifting this function to rehabilitation specialists could jeopardise the entire rehabilitation system in Ukraine and lead to inaccurate assessments of people’s ability to work.
- Preserving benefits for people with disabilities: Instead of fighting corruption, this may encourage abuse of the system and demotivate employers from hiring people with disabilities.
Experts emphasise the need for a comprehensive approach to reforming the disability system that takes into account the needs of people with disabilities and ensures their social integration.
To address the shortcomings of the draft laws, experts propose a number of amendments that will make the reform more effective and fair.
Read also: Will citizens still receive pensions after the MSEC reform – clarifications from the Ministry of Social Policy
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