PENZA, October 11 (RIA Novosti) - President Vladimir Putin has demanded that laws guaranteeing people's rights to free medical aid be passed as soon as possible.
"The issue of adopting fundamental laws has been on the agenda for several years now, has been repeatedly postponed," the Russian president said opening a session of the State Council's presidium Tuesday.
"The time of delays is up," Putin said. "I believe the government and the Federal Assembly [parliament] should pass the necessary laws as soon as possible."
The president said it was time for an exhaustive study of people's rights to free medical aid.
"The state bodies and medical institutions should strictly ensure these rights," he said.
Putin said significant funds would be allocated "to boost cardinal changes in the [medical] branch...to form a proper legislative basis and fix the modern principles of the Russian health care system."
He also asked the State Council's presidium to discuss the compulsory medical insurance system.
