During a meeting with members of the Social and Cultural Development Committee on March 18, Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova proposed revising contributions to the Social Health Insurance Fund. The ministry suggests transitioning to a flat scale where all taxpayers will contribute equally. This move aims to achieve fairness in contributions.
According to the minister, individuals with low incomes should not pay a higher percentage of their income than wealthier citizens. The proposed measures aim to reduce the financial burden on the population and protect insured citizens' rights to receive quality healthcare. Additionally, this innovation will address the financial stability of medical organizations and transition towards an insurance-based healthcare financing model.
Alnazarova clarified that 90% of the population will not be affected if this norm is approved. The change will only apply to those earning above 10 times the minimum wage. The upper limit for contributions is proposed to be set at 50 times the minimum wage starting in 2025.
The news of potentially increasing the upper limit of contributions to the Social Health Insurance Fund has sparked public debate in Kazakhstan. Director of the Almaty branch of the Fund, Tleukhan Abildaev, discussed whether Kazakh citizens can reclaim contributions if they did not seek medical assistance at state clinics within a year.
