Drama, soccer and robotics: The unusual subsidy for children in Kiryat Ekron

Clalit Health Services is subsidizing extracurricular activities for its insured children in Kiryat Ekron at up to 125 shekels, including English, drama, soccer, and robotics classes. The benefit was announced ahead of the 2025-2026 school year and is intended for children up to sixth grade. The report raises questions about the source of funding and whether the subsidy aligns with the health fund's role, which is not supposed to fund non-medical activities. Clalit stated the matter is under review.

Clalit Health Services has begun subsidizing extracurricular activities for its insured children in the community of Kiryat Ekron, at up to 125 shekels. The benefit was advertised in the community ahead of the start of the 2025-2026 school year and is intended for children up to sixth grade. The subsidized classes include English, drama, theater, drawing and illustration, darbuka, soccer, robotics, and Krav Maga. The report notes that health funds are supposed to provide a basket of medical, diagnostic, rehabilitative, and preventive health services, and raises questions about the source of funding for subsidizing non-medical classes and whether this aligns with the fund's operations. Clalit responded: "Clalit operates in accordance with legal provisions, Ministry of Health guidelines, and the ethics and regulations applicable to it. The matter was brought to our attention and upon receiving the inquiry, we immediately began a review to clarify the facts."