Queues are Growing, Doctors are Leaving: Why is the Health Minister Portfolio Unwanted?
The health system enjoys the highest public trust in Israel, yet the position of Health Minister has become one of the least sought-after in politics. Amidst a staffing crisis, long waiting lists for surgeries, and mental health challenges, few parties have presented a concrete plan to address these critical issues.
An old political joke tells of a candidate who sneezes during a meeting with the Prime Minister, who then wishes him "Le-briut" (to your health) and inadvertently appoints him Minister of Health. A recent review suggests this irony may become reality after the upcoming elections.
Unlike the scramble for the Defense, Education, or Finance portfolios, the Health Ministry is not coveted in the current campaign. Only a handful of parties have a clear work plan, and very few candidates are interested in the position.
A Crisis of Trust and Management
It is a paradox: the health system enjoys the trust of 87% of Israelis, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics. Yet, this high rating does not make the ministry attractive. One reason is its sheer size and professional nature, which leaves little room for the political appointments favored by many in the outgoing government.
The Waiting List Challenge
High trust is countered by growing frustration over accessibility. Waiting times for specialists have risen by 41% between 2019 and 2023. Surgeries are often delayed for months. Consequently, 43% of the population now hold private health insurance, and 76% of those surveyed believe they need personal connections to receive effective or timely treatment.
Mental Health and Rehabilitation
The Iron Swords War and the aftermath of the pandemic have created a surge in demand for mental health services. Despite a 1.4 billion shekel investment, many patients wait up to a year for public treatment. The rehabilitation sector is equally strained, facing a shortage of 2,500 occupational therapists and 200 rehabilitation doctors. The State Comptroller recently highlighted that tracking wounded soldiers' care is still managed via Excel sheets rather than a unified system.
Staffing and Unrest
The system is grappling with a "quiet exodus" of doctors moving abroad. The Israel Nurses and Midwives Association has declared a labor dispute, citing a shortage of over 1,000 positions. Crucial negotiations with the Ministry of Finance are looming, as the last fundamental agreement dates back to 2011.
"Embarrassing Silence"
Dr. Adi Niv-Yaguda, a health policy expert, notes: "Parties are avoiding the health issue, reflecting a disconnect from the public's daily struggles. The next government must focus on pain points: waiting times, the rehabilitation crisis, and geographical inequality between the center and the periphery."
Dr. Zeev Feldman, Chairman of the State Doctors Organization, adds: "We are in a fateful election campaign, yet the health of the public is being pushed aside. We are witnessing a brain drain of our best doctors who go abroad for training and do not return. We are losing the next generation of management."
Potential candidates mentioned include Idit Silman (Likud), Tatyana Mazarsky (Yachad), Uriel Buso (Shas), and Michal Woldiger (Religious Zionism). However, most political factions remain silent on their specific plans for the sector.
