Hospitals now being run by the city of Budapest may end up being taken over by the state in a decision that would affect 19 institutions. The announcement was made by Miklós Szócska, Secretary of State for Health, who said that while further fusions could take place, there would be no hospital closings. The government is planning to restructure the whole health care system, so some departments will be closed but others will be opened. Szócska says the point is not to offer all medical services at all facilities, but for it to be clear where patients need to go for specific types of care.
