The Health Committee passed the 2026 budget extension law at its first reading.

The Parliamentary Health Committee approved the 2026 budget extension law at its first reading. The bill was passed without debate with 11 votes in favor, four against, and no abstentions, as reported by BTA.

The Committee supported the Bill on the Collection of Revenue and the Execution of Expenditure for 2026 until the adoption of the State Budget Act of the Republic of Bulgaria for 2026, the Social Security Budget Act for 2026, and the National Health Insurance Fund Budget Act for 2026. The draft was submitted by the Council of Ministers on December 15.

Minister of Health Silvi Kirilov recalled that the extension law will remain in effect until the adoption of the respective budget laws, but for a period not exceeding three months. According to him, this mechanism ensures clarity and predictability in revenue collection and the expenditure of public funds, while simultaneously guaranteeing the interests of citizens until the 2026 state budget is adopted.

A day earlier, the outgoing government proposed that the National Assembly adopt the extension law, which establishes a temporary legal framework for the normal functioning of the state and municipalities. The bill aims to guarantee the payment of salaries, pensions, social benefits, and other social payments, as well as the use of tax preferences and the execution of other due payments.

During the meeting, the Chairman of the Bulgarian Medical Association, Dr. Nikolay Branzalov, expressed concern regarding the financial stability of the healthcare sector. According to him, there is a lack of clear parameters and predictability in healthcare financing, which is a direct consequence of the ongoing political instability. He emphasized that over the last four years, only one state budget has been adopted on time.

According to Dr. Branzalov, in the current situation, clinical pathway prices have not been updated for 15 months, which hinders the operation and development of medical facilities and creates additional uncertainty within the system. He expressed hope that a clear political commitment to stabilize the sector would be undertaken shortly.