Recently, a special inter-ministerial commission led by the directors general of the ministries of finance and health presented recommendations to the government regarding the format of the new hospital in Beersheba. The hospital, set to begin operating in 2028, was originally planned to be owned by one of the health insurance funds and not managed by a government agency. This decision was made to reduce centralization in the medical services market and avoid conflicts of interest with the Ministry of Health. However, in 2023, Moshe Bar-Simantov, Director General of the Ministry of Health, began seeking a change to this decision, proposing that the construction and management of the hospital be transferred to the state. The Ministry of Finance strongly opposed this idea.
As a result of these discussions, the inter-ministerial commission recommended that the new hospital be jointly owned by two small health insurance funds, Meuhedet and Leumit. They also suggested that the operational management of the hospital be carried out by Sheba Medical Center. The new hospital is planned to have a capacity of 600 beds. Its primary goal is to reduce the load on Soroka Hospital and significantly improve access to medical care for Negev region’s population.
The move towards joint ownership between two small health insurance funds has sparked mixed reactions from both insurers and healthcare providers alike. Some argue that it will lead to more efficient use of resources and better outcomes for patients, while others worry about potential conflicts between insurers’ financial interests and patient care needs.
Despite these concerns, supporters believe that joint ownership can help address some of Israel’s most pressing healthcare issues. For instance, it can help reduce wait times for appointments and procedures while improving accessibility for patients in remote areas.
In conclusion, while there are still many questions surrounding Israel’s new hospital in Beersheba’s ownership structure, it is clear that there is widespread support for its creation among both insurers and healthcare providers alike. With its focus on reducing load on existing hospitals and improving accessibility to medical care for Negev region’s population, this new facility has significant potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery in Israel.