Child Development Reform Expands Amidst Ongoing Wait Time Concerns

Although the second phase of the Ministry of Health's child development reform came into effect this Sunday, many parents continue to report long waiting times for essential treatments. At the same time, a petition against the reform is still pending in the Supreme Court.

According to the Ministry of Health, since the launch of the first phase in February 2026, more than 166 new professionals in the field of child development have been recruited. HMOs have met recruitment and service expansion targets, except in the Southern District, where they are still struggling to recruit therapists, and the ministry continues to operate incentives to strengthen the system.

Starting August 1, the new reimbursement policy was expanded to all new patients not diagnosed with autism or somatic conditions, as part of a move to transfer the bulk of treatments to the public framework. However, remote settlements including the Arava, the Golan Heights, the Jordan Valley, the Negev, and the Dead Sea area were excluded at this stage, with their second phase postponed to January 1, 2027.

The Ministry of Health emphasizes that the goal of the reform is to ensure that every child receives quality developmental treatment within the public framework, regardless of their family's economic situation or place of residence, while reducing gaps and increasing service availability.

Among many parents, there is sharp criticism of the emerging outline. According to them, despite the reform, it remains difficult to secure appointments. Many families report waiting more than half a year for paramedical treatments, and in cases of psychological assessment or treatment, waiting times sometimes reach over a year.

Simultaneously, the reform remains at the center of a legal proceeding. A petition filed to the Supreme Court by the Shalev Association and the organization 'A Disabled Person is Not Half a Human' against the changes in reimbursement policy is still pending, with petitioners claiming the move could harm children in need of timely care.

The Ministry of Health argues that the expansion of manpower allows for a gradual implementation of the reform. The gap between recruitment data and the reality on the ground raises questions regarding the pace of service expansion and the public system's ability to meet growing demand, particularly in the Southern District.

What does the reform include?

1. New patients aged 0-6 (without autism or somatic disability) — included from the first phase on February 1, 2026, in areas with accessible infrastructure.

2. New patients aged 6-9 (without autism or somatic disability), as well as children under 6 in previously excluded settlements — included in the second phase as of August 1, 2026.

3. New patients up to age 6 with a diagnosis of autism or somatic disability — expected to be integrated starting January 1, 2027.

4. New patients aged 6-18 with a diagnosis of autism or somatic disability — expected to be integrated starting January 1, 2028.

5. Full integration of all populations and diagnoses — completion of the outline throughout the country by 2030.

The Ministry of Health states it will continue to monitor the reform's implementation. Meanwhile, the upcoming Supreme Court decision may significantly impact the future of the reform.