The National Health Insurance House published a project document at the end of last month that introduces a rigid mathematical algorithm to assess public hospitals' patient treatment capacity. The project, titled "Referatul și proiectul de Ordin.. nr.

180/2022," modifies the operation of national curative health programs and aims to prioritize health programs in public units by comparing estimated patient needs with public providers' declared capacities. The project completes technical norms approved by CNAS Order 180/2022. The Employers' Association of Private Medical Service Providers reacted on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, requesting immediate withdrawal of the project.

PALMED stated the measure risks delaying patient treatments and reducing patient survival chances. The organization called for a new elaboration process that respects patient interests. PALMED warned the measure contradicts OECD principles and could affect Romania's accession to the organization.

The association signaled the project endangers health system sustainability and the efficient use of public funds. PALMED accused the project of limiting patient access to medical infrastructure without measuring waiting times, treatment lists, treatment continuity, or available capacity. The project does not measure the impact of treatment delays on disease progression.

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The private sector provides 78.5 percent of clinical specialty services and 82.89 percent of paraclinical and imaging services. Private providers account for 89 percent of dialysis services, 88 percent of oncology drug treatment, and 82 percent of oncology radiotherapy treatment. The private sector employs 43 percent of Romania's medical staff.

PALMED highlighted that the project does not address ongoing contracts, patients already in treatment, or past investments. Private providers have invested hundreds of millions of euros in hospitals, laboratories, oncology centers, and infrastructure. Vasile Barbu, President of the National Association for Patient Protection, criticized the normative act, stating it was not drafted by specialists.

Barbu noted that CNAS leadership discussions did not include this approach and discussed other solutions for waiting lists. The document offers no solution for patient access, he stated. PALMED proposed creating a working group with all relevant actors and conducting an independent impact analysis.

The association suggested developing a patient-centered methodology for treatment access and requested the full utilization of all health system capacities.