The parliamentary Finance and Budget Committee, led by MP Ibrahim Kanaan, kicked off the year by holding two meetings on Tuesday. The committee reviewed and approved the budgets of the Ministries of Health, Labor, Tourism, Economy and Foreign Affairs as part of the assessment of the budget proposal for the year 2024. This proposal was endorsed by the Council of Ministers on September 12.
Despite the allocation of LBP 7 trillion, the caretaker Minister of Health, in his statement before the committee, emphasized that "the annual cost required for this service amounted to 12 trillion, given the exorbitant prices of medicines that citizens cannot afford."
Consequently, the committee greenlit this proposal and called on the Ministries of Finance and Health, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Lebanon (BDL) and in coordination with the Prime Minister, to formulate an effective cost and a legal financial mechanism to ensure the seamless provision of this pharmaceutical service.
MP Kanaan underscored that "the priority remains the support to public hospitals in all regions of Lebanon, especially given the challenging financial and social conditions faced by citizens who need care that they cannot afford financially." He emphasized the need for efficient and balanced use of the allocated 23 billion credits to public and private hospitals, ensuring no detriment to private hospitals that offer specific services not provided by public ones.
The committee also requested the Ministry of Health to provide a list of approved hospitals and funding limits, with oversight to be ensured through coordination between Kanaan and the Minister of Health.
In the fight against tax evasion, the measures taken by the Ministry of Labor were discussed to prevent, or at least limit, the damage caused to the Treasury by tax evasion.
Regarding the Ministry of Labor, Kanaan confirmed that the budget had been approved after a comprehensive discussion on work permits, their associated fees, the fight against tax evasion and the steps taken by the Ministry of Labor to prevent, or at least mitigate, the consequences of tax evasion on the Treasury.
He emphasized that the allocated amount for social security falls short of the requirements and regularity necessary for the fund’s effective functioning. In the current context, it is crucial to maintain service provision and enhance the condition of state institutions, rather than allow them to deteriorate.
In the meantime, the Ministry of Tourism’s budget was validated. However, the absence of any provisions related to touristic institutions was acknowledged and discussed. The Ministry of Tourism submitted a letter on this matter, which will be reviewed in a subsequent session to determine the appropriate course of action.
"We are on the verge of finalizing the budgets of the ministries. Pending issues will be resolved next week, and the committee's report will be submitted to the Parliament's presidency," assured Kanaan.
On Wednesday, the committee is set to scrutinize the budgets of the Ministries of Finance, Education and Telecommunications, along with several public funds and institutions.
The committee intends to convene two sessions daily throughout the week, contingent on MPs' attendance, in a concerted effort to complete the budget review within constitutional deadlines. This approach aims to circumvent government approval by decree.
Last week, Kanaan expressed his commitment to concluding budget discussions during the first week of January.
Despite the allocation of LBP 7 trillion, the caretaker Minister of Health, in his statement before the committee, emphasized that "the annual cost required for this service amounted to 12 trillion, given the exorbitant prices of medicines that citizens cannot afford."
Consequently, the committee greenlit this proposal and called on the Ministries of Finance and Health, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Lebanon (BDL) and in coordination with the Prime Minister, to formulate an effective cost and a legal financial mechanism to ensure the seamless provision of this pharmaceutical service.
MP Kanaan underscored that "the priority remains the support to public hospitals in all regions of Lebanon, especially given the challenging financial and social conditions faced by citizens who need care that they cannot afford financially." He emphasized the need for efficient and balanced use of the allocated 23 billion credits to public and private hospitals, ensuring no detriment to private hospitals that offer specific services not provided by public ones.
The committee also requested the Ministry of Health to provide a list of approved hospitals and funding limits, with oversight to be ensured through coordination between Kanaan and the Minister of Health.
In the fight against tax evasion, the measures taken by the Ministry of Labor were discussed to prevent, or at least limit, the damage caused to the Treasury by tax evasion.
Regarding the Ministry of Labor, Kanaan confirmed that the budget had been approved after a comprehensive discussion on work permits, their associated fees, the fight against tax evasion and the steps taken by the Ministry of Labor to prevent, or at least mitigate, the consequences of tax evasion on the Treasury.
He emphasized that the allocated amount for social security falls short of the requirements and regularity necessary for the fund’s effective functioning. In the current context, it is crucial to maintain service provision and enhance the condition of state institutions, rather than allow them to deteriorate.
In the meantime, the Ministry of Tourism’s budget was validated. However, the absence of any provisions related to touristic institutions was acknowledged and discussed. The Ministry of Tourism submitted a letter on this matter, which will be reviewed in a subsequent session to determine the appropriate course of action.
"We are on the verge of finalizing the budgets of the ministries. Pending issues will be resolved next week, and the committee's report will be submitted to the Parliament's presidency," assured Kanaan.
On Wednesday, the committee is set to scrutinize the budgets of the Ministries of Finance, Education and Telecommunications, along with several public funds and institutions.
The committee intends to convene two sessions daily throughout the week, contingent on MPs' attendance, in a concerted effort to complete the budget review within constitutional deadlines. This approach aims to circumvent government approval by decree.
Last week, Kanaan expressed his commitment to concluding budget discussions during the first week of January.
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