Slovenia court upholds profit limits for health concessionaires

Slovenia's Constitutional Court has upheld a law that restricts concessionaires from profiting from public funds. The court, with a six-to-three vote, found the provision in the Health Activities Act to be in line with the constitution. This law, enacted under the previous government, aimed to ensure that profits generated from public health services by concessionaires were not excessive.

The ruling addresses a key aspect of the government's health reform. The specific provision under scrutiny limits how concessionaires can allocate profits derived from public funds. The case was brought before the court by the Professional Association of Private Doctors and Dentists of Slovenia and other parties, marking the third time the court has reviewed this particular section of the law.

Despite the Constitutional Court's decision, the current ruling coalition is pursuing a different path. They are proposing an emergency law that would remove this profit restriction. The court's next step is to determine whether citizens can vote on this emergency law in a referendum, adding another layer of legal and political complexity to the issue.