Which individuals with disabilities will undergo re-evaluation as part of the MSEC reform?

In Ukraine, following a series of corruption scandals in the MSEC (Medical and Social Expert Commissions), a large-scale reform will be implemented. However, these changes will not affect all individuals with disabilities.

This was stated by the Minister of Social Policy, Oksana Zholnovich, in an interview with OBOZ.UA. According to her, there are currently about 3 million people with disabilities in Ukraine. Of these, 1.5 million receive pensions through the Pension Fund, as they have insurance records. However, there are also individuals without such records who receive disability benefits instead of pensions.

She mentioned that our country cannot retrospectively change anything for those who already have disability status. However, an algorithm is being developed for new individuals to allow more time for recovery, avoiding the artificial assignment of disability status, and ensuring a reasonable approach to the necessary social support.

In response to whether these changes would affect those with existing disability status, Zholnovich stated that they would not be impacted.

"They will continue to receive their payments as before. However, there is a cohort of people who, by the decision of the National Security and Defense Council, must undergo a review regarding their disability status. A commission has been established for them. This includes civil servants, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges. They will be reviewed to determine if these individuals received their disability status without violations. Among them are those who have legitimately obtained their status," the minister replied.

However, she added that there is another category. If the review finds that their disability was acquired as a result of criminal actions, then it is clear that their payments will be halted.

"And, apparently, criminal prosecution will follow," Zholnovich emphasized.

Regarding individuals with disabilities who do not need to undergo an additional review, the minister was asked if there are those whose disability must be confirmed periodically and whether they would receive conclusions based on the new algorithm. She responded:

"Yes, if it is not a lifelong disability. The Ministry of Health will establish relevant commissions in cluster hospitals. These commissions will not know whom they are evaluating. It is not a specific person being assessed, but their medical data. Even before the disability status is established, this data will be sent to us on the social side. Because a person may immediately need rehabilitation aids: crutches, wheelchairs, or home adaptations."

Scandal with MSEC in Ukraine

On October 22, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the liquidation of the MSEC. On the same day, he signed the corresponding decree.

On October 23, Health Minister Viktor Lyashko held a press conference during which he stated that the Central MSEC is planned to be liquidated soon. This could happen by the end of this week. Meanwhile, the functions of the MSEC will be transferred to cluster and super-cluster hospitals.

Recall that earlier "Telegraf" reported that the reasons for these decisions were corruption scandals involving the head of the Khmelnytsky MSEC, Tatyana Krupa and the "disabilities" of prosecutors from the Khmelnytsky regional prosecutor's office. Consequently, it was reported that General Prosecutor Andriy Kostin is resigning. Following this, "Telegraf" published a piece on the lives of Krupa and other MSEC doctors in Ukraine.