Türkiye's Grand National Assembly passed an amended version of the Social Security and General Health Insurance Law on Tuesday, revising a provision that President Ahmet Necdet Sezer had rejected. Sezer had vetoed portions of the legislation on 28 April 2006, citing constitutional concerns about how executive board members of the Social Security Agency would be appointed. Under the revised article, the deputy chairman and board members will be named through a joint decree based on ministerial proposals.
Sezer argued that appointments made solely with ministerial approval left senior officials vulnerable to political influence, and that the presidency must play a stronger oversight role, especially when a single party controls both government and parliament.
The underlying law, first adopted on 19 April, introduces several significant changes to Türkiye's social security system. Children under 18 will receive free health care regardless of insurance status. Retirement ages are set at 58 for women and 60 for men. Medical costs will generally be covered by the state, with exceptions for cosmetic procedures and orthodontic care. Women between 23 and 39 will be eligible for financial support covering reproductive treatments. The law is scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2007.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in May 2006, in its own words.