GSS debt hinders access to medicine

News Center

It's estimated that more than 9 million people in the country owe GSS premiums. The number of people whose GSS premiums are paid by the government is reported to be around 5,826,000. While those with premium debts can still apply to public healthcare institutions, they are unable to obtain the medications they were prescribed. This situation hinders patients from receiving treatment.

CHP Bursa Deputy and member of the Turkish Grand National Assembly's Health, Family, Labor and Social Affairs Committee, Prof. Dr. Kayıhan Pala, stated that millions of citizens are experiencing difficulties accessing medication due toGeneral Health Insurance (GSS) premium debt, saying, "Patients who cannot access medications have shorter survival times and their right to healthcare is being violated."

THE MINISTRY DOES NOT PRODUCE A SOLUTION

Pala, reminding that while those with outstanding GSS premiums can still apply to public healthcare institutions due to a presidential decree, they are unable to obtain the medications they are prescribed, said, "This situation poses a life-threatening risk to HIV-positive patients, especially during the fight against serious diseases like multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Uninterrupted provision of medication to patients for both infectious and chronic diseases is vital to the success of treatment. Patients who cannot access medications have shorter survival times, and their right to healthcare is violated."

Pala noted that the number of citizens owing GSS premiums has been estimated to have increased in recent years, but Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan has been unable to respond to parliamentary questions on this matter. Pala submitted a parliamentary question to the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on October 8, 2024, requesting a response from Minister Işıkhan. Ten months later, on August 27, 2025, he was only able to provide a response that merely reiterated the legislation. Emphasizing that healthcare is a fundamental human right, Pala continued:

It is unacceptable that patients cannot access their medical treatment due to premium debt. The temporary presidential decree granting access to public healthcare institutions does not extend to patient access to medicine; this situation must be rectified urgently. The Ministry of Labor and Social Security must develop a permanent solution focused on the right to health. The healthcare system must be transparent, accountable, and centered on the right to health, where no patient is hindered by premium debt or reimbursement barriers to accessing healthcare services, medications, or treatment.

Pala stated that the current healthcare system, known as the Health Transformation Program, and its financing structure provided by the General Health Insurance (GHI) are insufficient to meet the healthcare needs of citizens and reiterated the need for a new healthcare system.