An Estonian activist called for universal health insurance
Translator and civic activist Allan Aichenbaum, in a column for ERR News, called on Estonia to make universal health insurance a priority. According to him, the country remains one of the few in the EU where not the entire population is covered by health insurance.
The author noted that in Estonia, retirees, minors, and the unemployed are insured, but some people may still be left without the necessary medical care. He also drew attention to the long wait times for services in the public healthcare system. Because of this, he said, even insured residents often turn to private healthcare, which exacerbates inequality in access to treatment.
Eichenbaum attributes the problem to a system in which, in some cases, eligibility for public health insurance is strictly contingent on the payment of fixed amounts, without taking into account a person’s actual income or their total tax contribution. He believes that vulnerable groups, particularly low-income workers, may find themselves excluded from the system.
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Healthcare economists have proposed making health insurance mandatory in Estonia. The author supported the goal of universal coverage but questioned the approach of placing the financial burden on individuals. According to him, the proposed payment of nearly 1,400 euros per year could become a significant burden for low-income individuals.
Eichenbaum cited Australia as an example of a model where the Medicare levy is income-based. According to his data, people with an annual income below approximately 28,000 Australian dollars, or 17,000 euros, do not pay this separate levy, and funding is provided through general taxes. In the author’s view, Estonia should make greater use of tax revenues to fund basic health care services.
The author also noted that, as of July 1, the cost of voluntary state health insurance in Estonia has risen to 3,264 euros per year. According to the data he cited, approximately 90,000 residents of the country currently lack insurance. The Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs is expected to present proposals to expand insurance coverage by the end of the year.
