The key facts
- The New People faction submitted a bill on October 20: a free sleeping place and meals for parents of children under 8.
- Currently, such conditions apply to those accompanying children under 4; for older children — only for medical reasons.
- Cost estimate: 9.2–13.1 billion rubles annually from the federal budget for 2027–2029.
The Essence of the Initiative
On October 20, deputies of the New People faction submitted a bill to the State Duma that would allow parents to stay in a hospital free of charge with children under eight years old, with a sleeping place and meals provided. The amendments are proposed to be made to the law 'On the Fundamentals of Health Protection of Citizens of the Russian Federation.'
Current Rules
Under the current rules, a free bed and meals are provided for adults accompanying children younger than four. If the child is older, such conditions are provided only if there are medical indications. In other cases, it is possible to stay near the child, but the additional amenities must be paid for.
Arguments of the Authors
The authors of the initiative believe that children aged four to eight have a hard time coping with separation from loved ones during treatment and are not always able to independently monitor taking medications and following procedures. In their view, the presence of parents reduces the child's stress and makes the work of medical staff easier, since relatives take over part of the everyday care.
Funding
According to the authors' estimate, implementing the changes will require 9.2 to 13.1 billion rubles annually. The funds are planned to be allocated from the federal budget, with additional expenditures provided for 2027–2029.
Context: New Rules for Patients' Relatives
Life.ru previously reported that on September 1, 2026, changes to the rules for relatives staying near hospital patients come into force. They affected, in particular, people with first-group disabilities who require accompaniment: those caring for them are provided with a free sleeping place and meals at the expense of compulsory medical insurance funds (OMS). The decision on joint stay is made with the participation of the attending physician and with the patient's consent. Relatives are required to comply with sanitary requirements, use changeable clothing, and, during a long stay, undergo the necessary examinations. If the accompanying person interferes with the work of medical staff or violates the established order, their admission may be revoked.
