The old bureaucratic system of Medical and Social Expert Commissions will be eliminated. It will be replaced by a new effective mechanism focused on people and their needs. This was emphasised by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

“We have already made the first step. The Government has submitted to the Verkhovna Rada a draft law establishing an algorithm for assessing a person’s daily functioning. Practicing doctors in multidisciplinary hospitals, as part of expert teams, will objectively assess the patient’s condition in one of three categories: persistent total disability, persistent partial disability, and able-bodied person,” said Denys Shmyhal.

During the meeting on 12 November, the Government approved two draft laws regulating social services and insurance payments. According to the Prime Minister, payments will be based on an assessment of a person’s ability to work. The amount of payments for people with a full permanent disability will increase significantly compared to the current level.

“And for people with persistent partial disability, the state will compensate the difference between the salary a person had before the insured event and after returning to work,” the Head of Government added.

The proposed amendments also increase the duration of paid treatment and rehabilitation from 4 months to 1.5 years and protect a person from dismissal for the entire period of treatment. The Prime Minister stressed that this would make the system fairer.

“At the same time, the disability status is maintained. It provides for the right to social services, rehabilitation, benefits and support in employment. For those who already have a disability, the situation will not change,” said Denys Shmyhal.

According to the Prime Minister, there will be options for remote, in absentia and on-site assessment. The system will be digitised and focused on the outcome – maximum rehabilitation of the individual, return to active life and adaptation of the workplace to their needs.

“We aim to achieve European standards for effective rehabilitation, with about half of people returning to an active lifestyle after illness or injury,” the Prime Minister said.