ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the various Ombudsman mechanisms in the Israeli health system at the institutional and national levels. In the mid-nineties the Israeli healthcare system was revolutionised by the enactment of two major laws regulating patients' rights and entitlements: the National Health Insurance Law, 1994 (NHI Law) and the Patients' Rights Law, 1996 (PR Law). Both statutes provide for the establishment of Ombudsman mechanisms. Under the NHI Law, residents of Israel are entitled to receive a comprehensive package of health services primarily through membership of one of four health funds, called 'Kupot Holim'. Section 45 of the NHI Law provides for a right to submit to the NHI Ombudsman complaints against health funds, healthcare providers, their employees or any other person acting on their behalf, in connection with any matter related to the law. Prior to the PR Law there was no legal or administrative requirement to nominate Ombudsman officers in medical institutions.
