Ensuring the Proper Allocation: The Commission has implemented various measures to guarantee that the Community's fiscal funds are dedicated towards the financing of the Structural Funds.
In a recent statement, the National Association of Clinical Laboratories (ANL) in Portugal has called for an immediate review of the agreed tables for acts and values in the fields of clinical analysis, clinical pathology, anatomical pathology, and medical genetics.
The accumulated inflation of over 20% in the last decade has led to a significant increase in minimum remuneration, causing providers to bear the impact of the degradation of the real value of administratively imposed prices. This situation has resulted in structural imbalances between public and agreed providers, hindering the functional articulation between them and preventing the SNS from fully utilizing the installed capacity of the agreed sector.
The outdated prices are causing problems in the SNS, particularly in regions where agreed laboratories are the only point of access to subsidized examinations. The gravity of this situation is further emphasized by Nuno Castro Marques, the director-general of ANL, who has stated that the underfunding of the network is limiting access to subsidized examinations in certain regions and is putting at risk a network with over 3,300 access points.
The ANL's advocacy for an urgent review is aimed at protecting the network's response capacity and maintaining equitable access to health services. The association argues that agreed prices, fixed unilaterally by the State through adhesion contracts, should comply with legal criteria such as equity in access, quality of service, financial sustainability of providers, transparency, and periodicity of value reviews.
The Legal Framework of Conventions states that agreed tables should be based on a methodology for fixing and updating reference prices that adapts to the requirements and specificities of various health services and guarantees a balance between efficiency incentives and quality of healthcare. However, the ANL has pointed out that such a methodology has not been established for over twelve years, in disregard of the legal obligation.
The current tables, last reviewed in 2013, are based on data from the 1980s and have undergone only minor adjustments or value reductions. The ANL's proposed changes include standardization of testing protocols, adoption of new technologies, training and education for laboratory professionals, and integration with the national health system to enhance patient care and outcomes.
For specific details on updates and proposed changes, it would be best to consult official ANL publications or contact them directly. The underfunding of the network is a significant issue, as it is limiting access to subsidized examinations in certain regions, and the ANL's call for an urgent review is a step towards addressing this issue and ensuring equitable access to health services for all citizens.
- What is the recent call by the National Association of Clinical Laboratories (ANL) in Portugal regarding the agreed tables for acts and values?
- Inflation has led to a significant increase in minimum remuneration, impacting the degradation of the real value of administratively imposed prices in the field of clinical analysis.
- The result is structural imbalances between public and agreed providers, hindering their functional articulation and limiting the SNS from using the full capacity of the agreed sector.
- This issue is particularly problematic in regions where agreed laboratories are the only point of access to subsidized examinations in the SNS.
- The gravity of this situation is emphasized by Nuno Castro Marques, the director-general of ANL, who stated that the underfunding of the network is limiting access in certain regions.
- The ANL's advocacy for an urgent review aims to protect the network's response capacity and maintain equitable access to health services.
- The association argues that agreed prices should comply with legal criteria such as equity in access, quality of service, financial sustainability of providers, transparency, and periodicity of value reviews.
- The Legal Framework of Conventions states that agreed tables should be based on a methodology for fixing and updating reference prices.
- However, the ANL has pointed out that such a methodology has not been established for over twelve years, in disregard of the legal obligation.
- The current tables, last reviewed in 2013, are based on data from the 1980s and have undergone only minor adjustments or value reductions.
- The ANL's proposed changes include standardization of testing protocols, adoption of new technologies, training and education for laboratory professionals, and integration with the national health system.
- For specific details on updates and proposed changes, consult official ANL publications or contact them directly.
- The underfunding of the network is a significant issue in workplace-wellness, as it is limiting access to subsidized examinations in certain regions.
- This situation could potentially exacerbate medical-conditions, chronic-diseases, and even cance in affected individuals.
- Respiratory-conditions, digestive-health, eye-health, hearing, and skin-conditions may also be affected by limited access to subsidized examinations.
- Addressing this issue is crucial for preserving health-and-wellness in the population.
- Fitness-and-exercise and sexual-health are also important aspects of health-and-wellness that should not be overlooked.
- Autoimmune-disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus require regular monitoring and management to prevent complications.
- Climate-change is a global problem impacting all aspects of life, including health, and requires urgent attention from policymakers and industry.
- Manufacturing industries should prioritize safety measures and mental-health support for their employees, given the high stress levels associated with the work.
- Industries could also invest in mental-health programs, offering resources like therapies-and-treatments to employees dealing with stress, anxiety, or depression.
- Men's-health issues like prostate cancer and heart disease require vigilance and prevention strategies, as men often neglect their health.
- Skin-care is essential for maintaining good health and appearance, and individuals should invest in quality skincare products and regular check-ups.
- Nutrition plays a significant role in maintaining overall health and weight-management, so individuals should be educated on proper eating habits.
- Aging is a natural process, but it can be managed through regular exercise, a balanced diet, and proper medical care.
- Women's-health encompasses various aspects, from reproductive health to menopause, and requires special attention and care.
- Parenting is a vital aspect of life, and resources should be provided to help parents navigate the challenges of raising children.
- The health industry should focus on research, innovation, and development to address the diverse needs of individuals, from combating cardiovascular-health issues to managing neurological-disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
