National Press Review, 18 May

Evenimentul Zilei reveals "How the fall of the leu hurts bank credits".

The Romanian currency’s devaluation is going to cost Romanians who have debts in euro several extra hundred lei per instalment – the author of the article states.

The publication cites opinions of specialists who estimate people with incomes in lei and credits expressed in euro may have to suffer in the following months as well, because the national currency will continue to decrease in value.

"The Romanian Post , caught between lay-offs and the stamp of bankruptcy" – Jurnalul Naţional comments, and adds that "The Post Office Board of Directors is going to discuss a restructuring plan aimed at avoiding bankruptcy.

This plan includes a new organisational scheme, relieving one hundred directors of their duties and laying off over one thousand TESA employees".

The daily presents the explanations given by the Ministry of Communications, Dan Nica, on this topic and notes the criteria in applying the new restructuring plan.

"A new philosophy of the Health department: yes to insurance for cancer, no to insurance for the common cold!" - România Liberă headlines, regarding the new draft for the Law of Health, which aims at applying a major change of approach in the medical insurance field.

Although the list of medical services to be cut from the basic health care package has not been finalised yet, the Minister in charge, Vasile Ceopi, has given the impression the government is going to offer discounts for the more expensive services and drugs, and not for the ones people use more frequently, such as cough syrup or painkillers.

The newspaper offers details on the costs of compensated and free drugs, and mentions that, according to a report drafted by British experts, the Romanian health care system coan only afford thirty per cent of them.

Adevărul also writes about the New Law of Health from the perspective of other possible provisions, such as the "Fast-food and beer fee".

The goal of this measure is to diminish financial holes in the medical system and improve the health of Romanian citizens – Vasile Cepoi states.

The publication offers examples of other countries where a similar fee is applied, and weighs both the pros and the cons of such a decision.

Translated by:
Cristina Baciu, MA Student
MTTLC, Bucharest University