Israeli Health Ministry Report Shows Reduced Deficit for Health Funds
Translated & summarized from Panet by baba
Israel's Ministry of Health reported that the country's health funds collectively reduced their deficit to 194 million shekels in 2025, down from 346 million in 2024. Government funding increased to 4.6 billion shekels, covering 5.7% of health services. Maccabi, Meuhedet, and Leumit reported surpluses, while Clalit had a deficit. The report indicates a trend of increasing government support and decreasing patient contributions over the last decade.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel's health funds collectively reduced their 2025 deficit to 194 million shekels, down from 346 million in 2024.
- Government funding for health services rose to 4.6 billion shekels in 2025, comprising 5.7% of the health basket cost.
- Maccabi Health Services reported a 111 million shekel surplus, while Clalit had a 364 million shekel deficit in 2025.
- Over the past decade, government funding has increased while patient contributions to health services have decreased.
- Hospitalization costs represented 43% of health fund expenditures in 2025, an increase from the previous year.
The Israeli Ministry of Health has released its final report on the activity of the country's four health funds for 2025, indicating a significant reduction in their overall deficit. The report highlights a trend over the past decade where government funding for health services has increased, while the proportion covered by insured individuals has decreased. This shift includes integrated support payments and measures aimed at easing the burden on patients.
In 2025, the total deficit for all health funds, including support funds, amounted to approximately 194 million shekels, a notable decrease from the 346 million shekel deficit in 2024. Government support for the health funds reached about 4.6 billion shekels, representing 5.7% of the total cost of the health services basket, an increase from 4.1 billion shekels (5.4%) in 2024. This rise is largely attributed to increased funding for mental health and financial stability support.
Financially, Maccabi Health Services ended the year with a surplus of approximately 111 million shekels, Meuhedet with 53 million shekels, and Leumit with 6 million shekels. Clalit, however, reported a deficit of about 364 million shekels, though its hospital deficit decreased by 0.4 billion shekels to 2.8 billion shekels.
The report also details shifts in expenditure, with hospitalization costs rising to 43% of total expenses, up from 42.1% in 2024. Conversely, wage expenses decreased slightly to 25.4% and those for medications and medical equipment to 17.9%. The total cost of the health services basket increased by 6.21% to approximately 80.6 billion shekels in 2025.
Moshe Bar Siman Tov, Director General of the Ministry of Health, described the report's findings as "encouraging," pointing to financial stability and reduced deficits. He emphasized the government's commitment to strengthening the health system and easing the economic burden on the public, while also noting the need to continuously assess budget adequacy against demographic challenges and rising disease rates to ensure long-term financial stability for the health funds.
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