Fund to lower expenses
The National Organization for Healthcare Provision (EOPYY) is aiming to reduce its expenses by about 400 million euros this year, Deputy Health Minister Marios Salmas said yesterday. The savings will mainly be achieved by increasing the amount that Greeks insured with EOPYY will have to contribute for their healthcare. For instance, patients will have to pay 30 percent of the bill if they are treated in private clinics or rehabilitation centers. It is estimated this will save 250 million euros this year. EOPYY will also offer lower compensation for a range of other things including physiotherapy, travel expenses for kidney patients and the purchases of glasses.
Vaxevanis sued.
Christos Markoyiannakis, the head of a parliamentary committee investigating former Finance Minister Giorgos Papaconstantinou over his handling of the so-called Lagarde list of possible tax evaders, yesterday took legal action against magazine publisher Costas Vaxevanis after the latter referred to a client of Markoyiannakis, who is also a lawyer, in a recent article. Markoyiannakis lodged a legal suit after Vaxevanis linked a Thessaloniki tax official that the the former is representing to an extortion wing. Vaxevanis gained international notoriety last October after publishing a version of the Lagarde list. In a related development, two former aides of Papaconstantinou denied having any knowledge of the Lagarde list or being present when the original CD with the list was delivered to Greek authorities from their French counterparts.
Farmers withdraw.
Protesting farmers yesterday started withdrawing from some 50 roadside blockades they had been maintaining for several weeks after receiving assurances from government officials that some of their demands, including a request for cheaper fuel, would be fulfilled. Farmers, who have also demanded tax breaks, are planning to convene in the capital on March 5 for a protest rally aimed at highlighting their grievances.
Murder probe.
A 36-year-old man faced a prosecutor in Arta, northwestern Greece, yesterday charged with the murder of a 48-year-old man whose dismembered body was found on the grounds of his home in the small town of Filippiada, close to Arta, and in a nearby river. According to police, the suspect revealed during interrogation that he had shot the 48-year-old in the head, at the latter’s home before dismembering his body and disposing of the pieces. A 25-year-old alleged to have been at the house at the time of the killing was also detained by police for questioning.