PM, House speaker discuss measures to expand health insurance

AMMAN — Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh and members of the Chamber’s permanent office met on Thursday with Prime Minister Hani Mulki, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Tarawneh stressed the importance of cooperation between the legislative and the executive authorities to serve the national interest.

The speaker urged ministers to give “complete and convincing answers” to deputies’ questions, and to include viable solutions with clearly defined time frames.

Mulki said that the partnership of the two authorities is an important national responsibility ensured by the Constitution and the Royal Letter of Designation to the government.

He stressed that the government seeks social justice and equality for all, and the elimination of nepotism and corruption, “which harms the Kingdom’s interest and spreads frustration”.

“In light of the scarcity of aid that Jordan receives, self-dependency is more essential than ever before,” the premier added.

Replying to deputies’ inquiries, the premier noted that the Lower House will complement the governorate councils, which will be established under the Decentralisation Law. 

Lawmakers in Parliament will focus on legislative and oversight issues rather than services, with the House remaining the highest elected authority, Mulki explained.

As for health insurance, he said the government has taken measures to control the granting of special health exemptions in order to prevent waste and dual beneficiaries.

The prime minister said an office, supervised by a physician, will be established at the Parliament to receive applications for medical exemptions and refer them to the Prime Ministry, to be signed and returned to the office
within two days.   

In the next few weeks, all residents above 70 years old will be included by the government in the free health insurance scheme, and in mid-2017 it will widen to include all those above 60 years old, Petra reported.

Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of State Musa Maaytah and Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani attended the meeting.