Church suggests nominal fee for medicines distributed by the state

A Church commission proposed today that the government should charge a nominal fee on medicines currently distributed free of charge. It said the government should also charge hospitalisation fees for those holding private health insurance.

The recommendations are part of a long list published by the Curia as a reaction to the pre-budget document.

The commission urged the government to revise the minimum wage, increase parental leave and outsource surgery to private hospitals as a means to reducing the waiting list at Mater Dei Hospital.

In its list, the Justice and Peace Commission called for better allowances to disabled children, a paternity leave quota to encourage male spouses to shoulder part of the burden of raising children, and an increase of parental leave to 17 weeks for the second child and 21 weeks for the third child.

The commission said the fiscal benefit available to those parents who send their children to kindergartens or private schools should be increased gradually over a definite period, until the entire fee is allowed as a deduction against income for tax purposes. The same system should also be applied to residents in private residential homes for senior citizens.

“A process should be initiated for the revision of the minimum wage, over a period of not more than three years, to an amount which will guarantee a modest standard of living. Persons in receipt of a minimum wage are living below the poverty line and are therefore considered vulnerable,” the commission said.

Premiums payable on private health and pension schemes should be fully deductible against income for tax purposes, it said.

It also said that those in receipt of a service pension should be entitled to receive the social security pension in full.

The commission said interest paid on loans for the purchase of the first residence should be fully deductible against income for tax purposes. This benefit should be capped on a specific loan amount.

The government should also carry out an evaluation that would determine the special needs of Church schools for the employment of facilitators with children with special needs, counsellors and social workers, educational psychologists, career advisers, activity teachers, health and safety teachers, computer technicians and relief teachers. The cost thereof should be borne by government.

In other recommendations, is said the age limit for the consumption of alcohol should be immediately raised to 18 years with a plan for this to be extended to 21 years within three years.

The tax on alcoholic beverages and tobacco should be increased substantially as a disincentive to drinking and smoking.

Hefty fines should also be introduced for the emission of poisonous fumes by public transport vehicles and other heavy vehicles as a result of abuse in the mixing of fuels for economic reasons.

When it spoke on health, the commission said a nominal fee should be introduced on medicines currently distributed by the government free of charge. Furthermore, a pro-forma invoice should be issued with medicines highlighting the cost to government and the benefit being received by the beneficiary.

“A nominal fee should be introduced on medicines currently distributed by the government free of charge. Furthermore, a pro-forma invoice should be issued with medicines, highlighting the cost to government and the benefit being received by the beneficiary," the commission said.

Government should charge fees for hospitalization in Government hospitals to all those who subscribe to a private health insurance," it said.