Communists Urging Putin to Stop Healthcare Reforms

In Russia, a group of 50 Communist Party members of parliament, including the head of the Communist Party in the Russian Federation have asked President Putin to halt the current healthcare reforms because market-oriented optimization could allegedly boost mortality rates and lead to violations of basic Human Rights. 

They stated that the current situation of Healthcare in Russia was worsening and that in some areas, people had to be transported dozens of kilometers in order to see a doctor or wait up to 6 weeks for an ultrasound. 

According to official plans, by 2018 the Health Ministry intends to close 11.2 percent of hospitals and 7.2 percent of all clinics and dispensaries. Reports stated that in 2014, mortality rates increased by 2.2% compared to the year before. The MPs blamed the 'failing' healthcare reforms for the increase in mortality and decrease in hospitals across Russia.