Problems in the legal regulation of the provision of health services: rights and obligations of the patient

The paper analyzes the patient's legal status as a key figure in the provision of health services, identifies and qualifies his rights and obligations, reveals the specifics of some legal opportunities for consumers of health services. The purpose of the paper is a comprehensive analysis of the patient’s rights and obligations under the contract for the provision of medical services. Methods: the authors use empirical methods of comparison, description, interpretation and theoretical methods of formal and dialectical logic. Special scientific methods are used: legal-dogmatic and the method of interpreting legal norms. Results: the authors conclude that it is necessary to develop a clear and complete conceptual apparatus; they propose to expand and structure the list of rights by strengthening their informational component, to detail the set of patient's obligations, and to adjust the norms on the patient's voluntary informed consent to medical intervention. The role of insurers in the medical field in helping patients to realize their legal opportunities is highlighted.