Komsomolskaya Pravda: “It is important that social issues are a state priority”
Andrei Issayev, first deputy secretary of the United Russia Presidium and the chairman of the State Duma Committee on Labour and Social Policy:
"We had a very important conversation. What was important to me is that it started with social issues. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said social issues are the government's priority and now this idea has been confirmed by practice.
We discussed pensions, salaries, health care and support for housing construction. The prime minister emphasised that economic progress is primarily judged by its contribution to the people's living standards.
Our decisions on pension reform have received support. We are the only country that decided to substantially increase pensions during the crisis. This year, our main goal is to develop the health care system. This is very important and this is a good sign for society."
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Vyacheslav Volodin, the secretary of the United Russia General Council's Presidium:
"It was important for us to hear what will be done in the health care system. There are many problems that the regions cannot resolve independently. Putin stressed that we will be resolving problems in this sphere, starting from medical institution repairs to modern diagnostic equipment provisions. This is extremely important because, regrettably, life expectancy in Russia still remains low."
Sergei Vladimirov
