Al Jarida appeals to Prime Minister to rescind new health insurance fee

The sudden decision issued by the Ministry of Health to raise health insurance fees — doubling them and, in some cases, exceeding that — and to begin implementing the increase as of Dec 23, raises serious concerns that warrant urgent review.

This decision does not appear to have adequately considered the living conditions of the expatriate community, nor its direct and indirect repercussions on the labor market.

There is a real risk that such measures could drive families out of the country, gradually transforming the expatriate community into a largely single-person workforce, with social and economic consequences that extend beyond the health sector.

What is particularly troubling is the impression that the decision reflects a revenue-collection approach, rather than a carefully balanced policy aimed at genuinely alleviating pressure on the public health system.

This comes at a time when Kuwait has long been recognized for its humanitarian values and its commitment to social balance and coexistence.

Al-Jarida newspaper respectfully directs this appeal to His Highness the Prime Minister, calling for a reconsideration of the decision, a reassessment of its timing and scope, and the adoption of a more gradual and socially sensitive approach that achieves reform without placing disproportionate burdens on residents or undermining labor market stability.