The draft compulsory health insurance funds law for 2010 was passed by the legislative body in first reading on December 18. The bill provides cheaper health insurance policies for farmers (619 lei) and discounts of 75% to 50% for other groups of people, Info-Prim Neo reports. Under the bill, the expenditure and revenues of the obligatory health insurance funds next year will be 3.375 billion lei each, a decrease of about 95 million lei or 2.8% compared with this year. The decrease in revenues is due to the lower average nominal monthly salary and remuneration fund, Minister of Health Vladimir Hotineanu explained from the Parliament's rostrum. The obligatory health insurance system in 2010 will include 32,875 persons with permanent residence in Moldova, who must pay the insurance premium individually. 10% of them will benefit from a 75% discount on the health policy, while 80% - a 50% discount during the first three months of the coming into force of the law. The health insurance policy next year will cost 2,478 lei, by 160 lei cheaper than this year. The individuals who founded private companies and rent farmland under contract, the holders of entrepreneur's patent, the individuals who rent out units of transport, offices, equipment and other property, except farmland, and nonworking individuals living in Moldova who are not insured from the state budget will benefit from a 50% discount on the policy if they purchase it during the first three months of the coming into force of the law.