Politics · Turkey · 7 hrs ago
Turkey plans to cancel 2017 health insurance debts for over 1 million people
Turkey is preparing a plan to cancel 2017 health insurance debts owed by more than 1 million people.
The debts are unpaid premiums under General Health Insurance, a system covering people who lack other health insurance and some other groups.
The proposal is aimed at people who were required to pay premiums but had no other social security coverage.
The measure is still being prepared, and a bill is expected to go to parliament.
Earlier changes cancelled debts for 2012 through 2016 after they reached a 10-year limit.
The cancellation could ease people’s public debt burden and make it easier to access healthcare.
The government plans to pass the measure before the new year, as the current period for people with unpaid premiums to use health services ends on 31 December.
Turkey is preparing a legal change to cancel 2017 General Health Insurance premium debts owed by more than 1 million people.
The proposal is still being prepared and has not yet become law.
It is expected to be enacted before the new year, ahead of the 31 December end of the stated period for using health services for people who have not paid premiums.
One report says the measure is intended to cover people without other social security who are required to pay General Health Insurance premiums.
Earlier changes cancelled debts from 2012 to 2016 after they reached a 10-year limitation period.
- Who
- More than 1 million people who did not pay 2017 General Health Insurance premiums. One report specifies people without other social security who are required to pay the premiums.
- What
- Turkey is preparing a measure to cancel the debts.
- When
- The measure is planned to become law before the new year. The reports were published on 23 October 2026.
- Where
- Turkey.
- Why
- The measure is intended to reduce people’s public debt burden and make access to health services easier.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Earlier measures cancelled General Health Insurance premium debts for these years after they reached a 10-year limitation period.
Reports said a new measure was being prepared to cancel 2017 premium debts for more than 1 million people.
The stated period for using health services for people who have not paid General Health Insurance premiums is due to end.
The measure is expected to become law.
- Debts targeted
- 2017 General Health Insurance premiums
- People affected
- More than 1 million
- Earlier debt years cancelled
- 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016
- Expected enactment
- Before the new year
- Health-service period deadline
- 31 December