Hepatitis C And Cirrhosis Patients May Request Vouchers For Medical Tests Free Of Charge
Patients with hepatitis C and cirrhosis in Romania may request vouchers, starting October 26, enabling them to undergo free medical tests needed to draw up the files for the approval of interferon-free treatment, according to the National Health Insurance House (CNAS).
CNAS representatives said the vouchers will be sent to medical specialists who are in charge of the prescription of treatment and patient monitoring in centers in Bucharest, Cluj, Constanta, Craiova, Iasi, Sibiu, Targu Mures, Timisoara and Oradea.
CNAS president Vasile Ciurchea said gaining access to this new therapy is a major step forward, which is highly necessary for this category of patients. (Romania Libera)
Senate Adopts Bill Reducing Retirement Age For Women Giving Birth To At Least Three Children Before 1990
The Romanian Senate on Monday adopted a bill reducing the standard retirement age for women who had given birth to at least three children until January 1990.
The bill was adopted with 120 votes in favor and two abstentions.
The reduced retirement age for women who had given birth to three or more children until January 1990 cannot be lower than 55 years old, according to the bill.
The Chamber of Deputies is decider on the matter. (Adevarul)
INS: Romania’s Natural Gas Imports Down 79.7% In First Eight Months Of 2015
Romania imported a quantity of usable natural gas of 67,100 tons of oil equivalent (toe) in the first eight months of 2015, 79.7% (263,500 toe) less than the quantity imported during the same period in 2014, according to data released by the National Statistics Institute (INS).
According to INS, natural gas imports reached 447,400 toe last year, 61.5% (714,100 toe) less than in 2013. The domestic natural gas output exceeded 8.675 million toe, higher by 73.900 toe (0.9%) than in the previous year.
Romania’s Draft Energy Strategy for 2015-2035 reveals that Romania has the largest reserves of natural gas in Central and Eastern Europe, with proven reserves of approximately 1,600 TWh. (Romania Libera)
Government To Convene On October 23 For Talks On Budget Revision
Prime Minister Victor Ponta said Monday that his Cabinet will convene Friday, October 23, for talks on the budget revision.
According to Ponta, the Executive will have to make strategic decisions regarding the budget revision which will be operated within its special meeting on October 23.
Ponta said the budget revision mainly targets the provision of financial resources from the state budget for the increased wages of healthcare and education employees, the heating issues faced by capital Bucharest and the cities of Constanta and Galati, the financing aspects for the de minimis aid for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as the payment of compensations in the agricultural sector for drought-related damages. (Puterea)
Senate Adopts Postal Voting Bill
The Romanian Senate adopted Monday the postal voting bill, but the Chamber of Deputies is decider on the matter.
The Senate’s plenum adopted the bill with 117 votes in favour and ten votes against.
Lawmakers of the Hungarian minority party UDMR and Senate Chairman Calin Popescu Tariceanu voted against the bill.
The bill will move on to the Chamber of Deputies which has one week at disposal for potential amendments and then is expected to vote on the bill.
The bill targets Romanians who live abroad. Postal voting describes the method of voting in an election whereby ballot papers are distributed or returned by post to electors, in contrast to electors voting in person at a polling station or electronically via an electronic voting system. (Puterea)