Prosperous Armenia Party leader on party`s approach to  universal health insurance in Armenia

ArmInfo. Gagik Tsarukyan, leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP), presented the political party's approach to the universal health insurance system in Armenia.   Tsarukyan recalled that his party is participating in the  parliamentary elections with the "Armenia Proposal" program, which  presents the most important issues affecting the country and the  party's proposals for addressing them. One such issue, as the PAP  leader noted, is healthcare, which has seen public debate intensify  in recent months following the country's implementation of a  universal health insurance system. 

"My fundamental approach is this: health insurance is a very  important system, and it certainly must work, but reforms must be  implemented thoughtfully, cautiously, and without compromising the  income, health, and well-being of healthcare workers. Doctors and  healthcare workers must receive a decent salary commensurate with  their workload. Health insurance should provide a sense of security  for both patients and healthcare workers," Tsarukyan emphasized in  his Facebook post.

In this regard, he noted that their party is proposing an insurance  system that will provide citizens with lifelong guarantees, rather  than being an election campaign with unclear funding mechanisms. "We  are proposing an insurance system that doesn't lead to endless lines  and hassle. Universal health insurance must be accompanied by  investment in infrastructure. Re-equipping and modernizing medical  facilities, improving conditions in buildings, especially in the  regions, are a crucial task that the state must address with the  private sector," the party leader explained. Furthermore, Tsarukyan  emphasized that the state is obligated to protect its citizens in the  pharmaceutical market, just as it protects them in energy and food  security. Specifically, he noted that today, no one should be faced  with a choice between medicine and food. "Health should not become a  victim of market mechanisms or monopolies. This is both a political  and humanitarian responsibility of the authorities," the party leader  concluded.

As a reminder, mandatory health insurance envisions a phased  implementation over three years. The first phase began on January 1,  2026. The system covers children under 18, individuals aged 65 and  older (even if employed), disabled individuals aged 18 to 65, members  of socially vulnerable families, and citizens earning over 200,000  drams. The base cost of an insurance policy in 2026 will be 129,600  drams (10,800 drams per month). Part of this amount is offset by  payments to the Zinapa Military Insurance Fund. These payments,  increased in 2021, are now returning to their previous level of 1,000  drams, regardless of salary. 

The remaining portion will be reimbursed to beneficiaries upon filing  their annual personal income tax return. However, in 2026, these  amounts will be reimbursed monthly from the state budget. This year,  individual entrepreneurs will also benefit from the system and will  be required to pay their own insurance premiums. Overall, by 2026,  medical insurance will cover approximately 1.6 million people.

A state fund has been created to manage the system. It will operate  under temporary management for three months, after which a state  selection committee will form its board of directors, which, as  stated in the Concept for the Implementation of Compulsory Medical  Insurance, will be chaired by the Minister of Health.