The Phenix Center for Economics & Informatics Studies warned of the negative consequences stemming from the ongoing dispute between the Jordan Medical Association and insurance companies over a new medical fee schedule, which came into effect last Saturday. The center emphasized that Jordanian citizens are the most affected by this conflict.
In a statement released today and sent to Jordan Daily, the Center explained that the Association has instructed doctors not to treat any patients unless payments are made in cash, while insurance companies have announced plans to terminate agreements with doctors who refuse to treat insured patients or breach their previous contractual obligations. These developments, according to the center, will create uncertainty for patients and increase their financial burdens, ultimately limiting their access to healthcare services.
The statement stressed that the current conflict reflects deep structural gaps in Jordan’s healthcare system, extending beyond a financial dispute between parties. It now poses a serious threat to the right to healthcare for hundreds of thousands of Jordanians.
The center called on the government to intervene immediately to safeguard this right, which is guaranteed under the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, and should not be treated as a mere commodity subject to market forces.
The Phenix Center underscored the need for the government to reassess its role in healthcare, shifting from a regulatory body to a guarantor of citizens’ rights to quality healthcare services. It highlighted the urgent need to improve and expand healthcare services to meet the growing needs of the population.
The statement pointed to the recent 60% increase in doctors’ fees over three years, warning that this hike will likely result in insurance companies reducing coverage or raising premiums, which could lead to a decrease in the number of insured individuals, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises. This would place additional economic strain on citizens, many of whom already face low wages.
The center also cautioned that raising doctors’ fees without measures to offset the costs for patients and their families would hinder the implementation of the national social protection strategy, specifically its third pillar, “Empowerment,” which focuses on improving social services. It emphasized the need for parallel measures, such as increasing wages, to enable citizens to bear the rising costs of healthcare.
The statement concluded by reaffirming that the fundamental principles of the right to health require the provision of the highest possible standard of healthcare for all citizens, regardless of their social or economic status.
The Phenix Center called on all parties involved to take responsibility and work toward fair solutions that prioritize the interests of the public.