David Rath

 ( 1965 Births ) 

David Rath (born 25 December 1965) is a Czech physician, former politician who served as Minister of Health from 2005 to 2006, and convicted criminal. He was a member of the Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD) until 16 May 2012 when he resigned after being charged with bribery. "Rath skončil jako hejtman i v ČSSD, rezignoval ze zastupitelstva kraje" He also served as Member of the Chamber of Deputies (MP) from 2006 to 2013, first as representative from Prague and then from Central Bohemian Region where he was Governor between 2008 and 2012.

On 23 July 2015, Rath was sentenced to 8.5 years in prison for corruption and manipulation with government procurements. Rath appealed the verdict. The appeal was rejected on 26 June 2019, but the sentence was reduced to seven years.

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Medical career Rath completed his medical degree at Charles University in Prague in 1990. He practiced internal medicine at General Teaching Hospital in Prague (Všeobecná fakultní nemocnice), and then at the Faculty Hospital at Motol (Fakultní nemocnice v Motole). Then in Kralupy nad Vltavou he worked for the Samaritan Association. He returned to Prague and joined the internal medicine faculty at Charles University in 1995. From 1998 to 2005 Rath served as the president of the Czech Doctors' Chamber (Česká Lékařská Komora, or ČLK), an umbrella organisation for all Czech physicians. Rosenbaum, Zdeněk (May 2002) "Lékaři A Lékárníci: Společně I Sami" Pharma News Prague interview with David Rath as president of the ČLK in Czech language

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Political career In 1994 Rath joined the Civic Democratic Party (ODS). In 1995 he formed the Medical Action Group (or Physician's Union Club) within the party, which brought in significant monetary support during the 1998 elections. As director of the Physician's Union Club Rath initiated the November 1996 doctor's strike. In 1996 he was vice-chairman of the Free Democrats – Liberal National Socialist Party coalition (SD-LSNS).

In November 2005, the Prime Minister at the time, Jiří Paroubek, appointed him health minister. He was directed to fix the finances of the troubled Czech health system, and he proceeded to institute a number of radical reforms.Krosnar, Katka (1 April 2006) "Czech health workers call for minister to be sacked" The Lancet 367(9516): p. 1046

In May 2006 Rath made international news when he traded blows with former Deputy Prime Minister Miroslav Macek at a Dentistry conference after reportedly implying that Macek had married his wife for her money. Macek was later fined for having initiated the violence by slapping Rath on the back of the head prior to delivering a speech at the conference. ČTK (18 September 2006) "Macek fined 3,000 crowns for slap to ex-minister Rath" Czech News Agency Prague

In September 2006, Rath was succeeded by Tomáš Julínek as Minister of Health for the Czech Republic. ČTK (4 September 2006) "Outgoing health minister Rath shaprly criticises his successor" Czech News Agency Prague Rath was then elected chairman of the Health Committee of the Czech Chamber of Deputies (lower house). ČTK (13 September 2006) "Chamber health committee elects Rath its head" Czech News Agency Prague

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Corruption charge and conviction In May 2012, he was arrested and charged with receiving bribes. At that time, he served both as a Member of Parliament of the Czech Republic and Governor of the Central Bohemian Region.

On 23 July 2015, he was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison. The verdict was appealed by Rath's defense counsel. The appeal was rejected in June 2019, but the sentence was reduced to seven years. Charges in a second bribery case are still pending.

Categories: 1965 Births, Living People, Politicians From Prague, Charles University Alumni, Academic Staff Of Charles University, Czech Physicians, Czech Social Democratic Party Mps, Health Ministers Of The Czech Republic, Corruption In The Czech Republic, Civic Democratic Party Politicians, Czech Social Democratic Party Governors, Members Of The Chamber Of Deputies Of The Czech Republic, Czech Politicians Convicted Of Corruption

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