---
title: "Ban on 'donations': Ukraine tightens liability for illegal payments in hospitals"
description: "A bill has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada tightening liability for illegal payments in hospitals. Doctors and officials could face up to 6 years in prison for extorting money for services guaranteed by the state, including 'donations' and refusal of treatment without payment. 🏥⚖️"
date: 2026-06-09T19:34:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ban-on-donations-ukraine-tightens-liability-for-illegal-hospital-payments
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Ban on 'donations': Ukraine tightens liability for illegal payments in hospitals

![Doctor in a white coat walking down a hospital corridor, illustrating the topic of combating illegal payments in healthcare](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/09/zakonoproekt-otvetstvennost-za-nezakonnye-platizhi-v-bolnicah-ukraina/zakonoproekt-otvetstvennost-za-nezakonnye-platizhi-v-bolnicah-ukraina-1.webp)

A bill (No. 15298) aimed at combating the illegal collection of fees for medical services guaranteed by the state has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The document proposes significant amendments to Article 184 of the Criminal Code to strengthen the protection of patients' rights and stop the practice of hidden payments in medical institutions.

### The problem of paid care in free healthcare

The initiators of the bill emphasize that, despite the existence of the State Guarantees Program, the situation on the ground remains tense. Patients continue to face demands to pay for services, medicines, and medical devices that should be covered by state or local budgets.

According to current regulations, assistance included in the guaranteed package must be provided free of charge. However, reality often diverges from the rules: doctors or administrative staff may demand money under the guise of "charitable donations" or other forms of financial support. The bill aims to make such actions criminally punishable.

### New liability standards

The proposed document introduces detailed liability for the illegal demand for payment. Punishment will depend on the circumstances and consequences of the act. In particular, it proposes:

    - Establishing a fine or probationary supervision for a term of three to five years, with possible disqualification from holding certain positions, for basic violations.

    - Providing for imprisonment from two to five years if the actions are committed repeatedly, by a group of persons by prior conspiracy, or have led to significant harm to health and large financial losses.

    - Imposing a sentence of imprisonment from three to six years in cases where the consequences are particularly severe, including the death of a patient or particularly large damage.

### Damage criteria

The bill also clearly defines the amounts of material damage, which should eliminate double interpretation during investigations:

    - **Large damage:** an amount exceeding the non-taxable minimum income of citizens 100 times or more.

    - **Especially large damage:** an amount exceeding the non-taxable minimum income of citizens 250 times or more.

An important aspect of the initiative is the introduction of liability not only for direct extortion of money but also for the refusal to provide free assistance if it is motivated by an illegal demand for payment.

### Goals of the reform

If adopted, Article 184 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine will become a more specialized tool. It is designed to prevent violations of citizens' rights to free medical care and to clearly distinguish liability depending on the severity of the consequences. The document aims to eliminate the systemic problem of hidden payments, which are already paid for by the state, and to create real mechanisms for patient protection.