Estonia’s social affairs minister Joller explains approach to healthcare savings
The Estonian Health Insurance Fund, which is seeking to balance its budget, does not plan to reduce the volume of medical care. Estonia’s Minister of Social Affairs Carmen Joller told ERR News that adjustments to the range of services in line with the needs of individual regions are being considered instead.
Reserves for periods of crisis
According to Joller, additional funds should not be directed into the healthcare system until its inefficiencies and areas where funding is lost are eliminated. She also opposed using the fund’s reserves to cover deficits or ongoing expenses, including sustained salary increases for healthcare workers.
The minister explained that reserves are intended for periods of crisis, such as rising unemployment, an economic downturn or a new pandemic. In her view, financing regular expenses from reserves is not a sustainable solution.
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Former Minister of Social Affairs Tanel Kiik expressed a different position. He stated that refusing additional funding or using available reserves could limit patients’ access to medical care. According to him, a lack of capacity could lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Laboratory services and regional needs
Joller noted that cutting medical services is not a solution, as it could have serious consequences. Instead, savings are being sought in areas where technological development has already reduced costs. In particular, she said that lower tariffs for laboratory services made it possible to save €24 million.
The ministry is also reviewing funding models for the hospital network in order to link the purchase of services to the actual healthcare needs of the population in each region. As an example, Joller cited the higher prevalence of respiratory problems among residents of Ida-Viru County. Going forward, hospital funding is planned to be adapted more precisely to local healthcare needs.
