Lawmakers Receive Healthcare Allowances Before Summer Recess

Members of Parliament have received an annual tax-free healthcare allowance of 19,520 lei. The information was disclosed by MP Ion Chicu, who criticized the practice and said he would refuse the payment. According to Chicu, the allowance is financed from the state budget, while medical expenses should not constitute an additional privilege for lawmakers, Logos-Press.md reports. “Thank God, at 54, I am healthy, I exercise, and I do not believe that members of Parliament, or any other public officials, should receive extra money for health recovery. If, God forbid, I need medical treatment, I should seek healthcare on the same basis as any other citizen, using the contributions I pay into the national health insurance system,” Ion Chicu said. The MP claimed that a total of around 2 million lei from the state budget was allocated to cover these allowances. Chicu said he would not keep the money and instead would donate the amount to the women’s organization of his political party, which regularly carries out charitable initiatives. According to him, the funds will be used to support children ahead of the new school year. Lawmakers will begin their summer recess on August 1, which will last until August 24.