Healthcare professionals to participate in National Framework Agreement negotiations

With almost no debate, the National Assembly adopted the second reading of the amendments to the Health Insurance Act (HIA), which enable nurses to participate in the negotiations for the National Framework Agreement (NFA).

According to the adopted changes, nurses will be able to join the negotiation process at the invitation of the Bulgarian Medical Association when the activities they perform are under discussion.

During the session, MP Margarita Mahaeva from the “Vazrazhdane” parliamentary group proposed an amendment to grant physician assistants the same opportunity, arguing a lack of equality.

The Chairman of the Health Committee, Prof. Kostadin Angelov, explained that this cannot be implemented at this stage, as it would contradict the current Law on Medical Establishments. He emphasized that an upcoming amendment to this law will empower physician assistants to perform activities in medical facilities. Following that, the issue of their participation in negotiations will be further discussed.