The number of uninsured citizens in Greece has officially reached 2.5 million people – a “bomb” that, according to some observers, threatens the budget of Greek hospitals and the entire national health system. Official data of the Greek Ministry of Health shows that, in the first half of this year, about 65.8 million euros were allocated to the care of poor and uninsured Greeks. The healthcare cost for uninsured and poor patients will likely double in the second half of the year, given that recent legislation allows free access to the services of the national healthcare system (ESY). Uninsured patients were not accepted into ESY public hospitals until 2013. Instead, they were forced to seek private institutions. Many doctors often did treat uninsured patients, however, citing the Hippocratic Oath.
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