Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
The coalition has just begun functioning as a government and it is already under fire from the always vocal and occasionally coherent Yair Lapid. One of the targets of his criticism was MK Ya'akov Litzman of Agudath Yisrael. Lapid charged that Litzman was not acceptable to head the Health ministry because he refused to take an oath, a position the Haredi MK's take due to religious reasons. Despite Lapid's protestations, it would seem that there is much to be optimistic about in Yaakov Litzman's taking the helm of Israeli healthcare. Tel-Aviv Times had much to say on the issue.
For starters, Litzman is experienced at the job, having been appointed Health Minister when Netanyahu was elected in 2009. He earned a reputation for being a 'do-er', a man who worked hard to get things done. This is in stark contrast to the minister that followed him, Yael German of Yesh Atid. Litzman has already announced that he intends to take over from where he left off, not continuing in her unfinished policies, and, as much as possible, return to that point when he was minister. As a result, he has already drawn criticism from the opposition, but Litzman is not easily intimidated.
The health portfolio is not highly regarded by most Israeli politicians but Litzman chose it and has gone straight to work, but even in that he has drawn criticism. His decision to appoint a non-physician, Moshe Bar Siman-Tov, to the role of director general of the ministry was a first, and not a well-received one, despite, or perhaps due to, his expertise in governmental budgeting, especially related to health care. The Israel Medical Association sent out thousands of letters to its doctors . IMA chairman Dr. Leonid Eidelman wrote,:
"We oppose the candidacy of a Treasury official who...favors drying up the health system and force[ing] doctors to 'be more efficient' at the expense of patients. We oppose the choice of a man who is an expert only in budgeting and not medicine and management."
Litzman was not intimidated and his answer was short and to the point: "The new CEO knows the system better than doctors and better than those in charge of doctors."
The health system is in dire need of a solid leader, suffering in just about every way possible. A recent report by the state comptroller stated that the rights of the patients are not being upheld. There are also massive deficits, which may explain Litzman appointing a financial expert to head the ministry.
But one of the first issues that Litzman intends to address is the inability of the health system to cope with the overload of patients. In addition, as part of this problem, he intends to address the inequality between the quality of healthcare in the periphery regions of the country as compared to the more urban areas.
He also intends to continue with reforms he began with dental care. He instituted dental care for children up to the age of 12 as part of the national system, something he intends to increase to the age of 18.
He also intends to include mental health, something that Yael German stopped.
Another of the many chores he has on his list is to include life-saving drugs to the list of subsidized medicines. He shocked many last week when he made moves towards adding medical marijuana to that list.
Of course, the real test will come in several years when Israelis look back on his accomplishments. But at least, there seems to be good reason to be optimistic to see Litzman hard at work, helping Israelis get healthy.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Litzman Returns to Job Aiming to Reform Health Care System |
Author: Eliyahu Berkowitz
Contact: About Us |
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: JP Updates | Breaking News NYC, Jewish Political News & Updates
For starters, Litzman is experienced at the job, having been appointed Health Minister when Netanyahu was elected in 2009. He earned a reputation for being a 'do-er', a man who worked hard to get things done. This is in stark contrast to the minister that followed him, Yael German of Yesh Atid. Litzman has already announced that he intends to take over from where he left off, not continuing in her unfinished policies, and, as much as possible, return to that point when he was minister. As a result, he has already drawn criticism from the opposition, but Litzman is not easily intimidated.
The health portfolio is not highly regarded by most Israeli politicians but Litzman chose it and has gone straight to work, but even in that he has drawn criticism. His decision to appoint a non-physician, Moshe Bar Siman-Tov, to the role of director general of the ministry was a first, and not a well-received one, despite, or perhaps due to, his expertise in governmental budgeting, especially related to health care. The Israel Medical Association sent out thousands of letters to its doctors . IMA chairman Dr. Leonid Eidelman wrote,:
"We oppose the candidacy of a Treasury official who...favors drying up the health system and force[ing] doctors to 'be more efficient' at the expense of patients. We oppose the choice of a man who is an expert only in budgeting and not medicine and management."
Litzman was not intimidated and his answer was short and to the point: "The new CEO knows the system better than doctors and better than those in charge of doctors."
The health system is in dire need of a solid leader, suffering in just about every way possible. A recent report by the state comptroller stated that the rights of the patients are not being upheld. There are also massive deficits, which may explain Litzman appointing a financial expert to head the ministry.
But one of the first issues that Litzman intends to address is the inability of the health system to cope with the overload of patients. In addition, as part of this problem, he intends to address the inequality between the quality of healthcare in the periphery regions of the country as compared to the more urban areas.
He also intends to continue with reforms he began with dental care. He instituted dental care for children up to the age of 12 as part of the national system, something he intends to increase to the age of 18.
He also intends to include mental health, something that Yael German stopped.
Another of the many chores he has on his list is to include life-saving drugs to the list of subsidized medicines. He shocked many last week when he made moves towards adding medical marijuana to that list.
Of course, the real test will come in several years when Israelis look back on his accomplishments. But at least, there seems to be good reason to be optimistic to see Litzman hard at work, helping Israelis get healthy.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Litzman Returns to Job Aiming to Reform Health Care System |
Author: Eliyahu Berkowitz
Contact: About Us |
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: JP Updates | Breaking News NYC, Jewish Political News & Updates
