Finally, some optimism in Hadassah Medical Organization money crisis

Negotiations have persuaded all sides to climb down from high ladders and agree to make concessions.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem. (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem.
(photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
For the first time in nearly half a year, all sides in the Hadassah Medical Organization financial crisis expressed guarded optimism on Thursday that a stabilization agreement will soon be reached.
Negotiations among the Treasury, the HMO, the hospital unions, the Health Ministry and the Hadassah Women’s Zionist of America – with help from the Histadrut labor federation – have persuaded all sides to agree to make concessions.
The doctors have agreed to lower wages and benefits by NIS 60 million, and other employees by an additional NIS 85m.
As well, there will be another 274 dismissals, besides the 300 who have already left. With that money and an additional NIS 150m. from the state and Hadassah Women’s Zionist of America, the running budget deficit will be eliminated.
The more serious negotiations brought about a cancellation of Hadassah workers’ and the Histadrut’s intentions to run the two Jerusalem medical centers according to a restricted emergency schedule.
The Jerusalem District Court had asked for a written summation on Sunday, the eve of Independence Day.