MEDICAL INSURANCE SYSTEM TO BECOME SELF SUFFICIENT BY 2008

MOSCOW, January 15, 2004 (RIA Novosti correspondent Andrei Maloslov) - The system of required medical insurance (OMS) in Russia will become self sufficient by 2008, the first deputy minister of economic development and trade, Mikhail Dmitriev, told journalists Thursday at the end of the session of government.

"By 2008, when OMS envelops the entire country, the system will be self sufficient. We convincingly proved this to the government on the basis of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade's calculations," emphasized Mr. Dmitriev.

The deputy minister explained that there are three sources financing the OMS's budget shortfalls. In particular, the discussion dealt with co-financing the OMS from the federal budget, which by 2008 will reach 17 billion rubles. "Furthermore, it will increase co-financing the budget to 20 billion rubles and this will increase payments to unemployed Russian citizens," said Mr. Dmitriev. An additional 10 billion rubles will end the scarcity caused by the centralization of the united social tax in order in the large volumes to render aid regions, Mikhail Dmitriev certified. -()- (nic/sm)