It has been stated that the AKP is preparing to submit a new omnibus bill to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) that includes the cancellation of General Health Insurance (GSS) premium debts. The proposal, expected to consist of approximately 15 articles, is projected to cover GSS debts affecting nearly 1 million people, as well as certain regulations in the energy sector.
If the preparations, which are in the final stages, are not completed by this Friday, the bill is planned to be submitted to Parliament next week. It is stated that the regulation will cover GSS premium debts dating back to before January 1, 2017.
The GSS system is implemented to ensure that individuals without any institutional health coverage can benefit from health services. The draft proposal includes a provision for the cancellation of old premium debts, taking into account the statute of limitations.
ENERGY REGULATIONS ALSO IN THE PROPOSAL
The omnibus bill will not only address GSS premium debts but will also revisit certain provisions regarding the energy sector. It is expected that some provisions of Law No. 7501 on Amendments to the Mining Law and Certain Laws, which were annulled by the Constitutional Court after being challenged by the CHP in the previous legislative year, will be brought back to the parliamentary agenda with this new regulation.
The Constitutional Court had annulled certain rules that granted broad discretionary power to the executive branch in the fields of natural gas and renewable energy. In particular, leaving exceptions regarding the operation and relocation of floating LNG facilities to the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK) without establishing fundamental principles was found to be contrary to the principles of the "non-delegability of legislative power" and "freedom of enterprise."
The proposal is also said to include a provision regarding the extension of the support period for vocational education students by the Ministry of National Education. The regulation is expected to be discussed in the TBMM Committee on Industry, Trade, Energy, Natural Resources, Information and Technology.
News Source: 12punto
