Third reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Health Care Services Organisation Act and Other Acts (401 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, third session, plenary sitting
Date: 2024-06-04 13:08
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 8
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 12m
AI Summaries: 8/8 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The sitting focused on the third reading and final vote of Draft Act 401, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning amendments to the Health Services Organization Act and other acts. Tanel Kiik (Social Democratic Party) and Liisa-Ly Pakosta (Eesti 200) spoke during the discussions. Tanel Kiik emphasized the continuity of health policy and welcomed the changes accompanying the draft act, such as replacing the term "general medical care" with the clearer term "family doctor care," establishing new grounds for reorganizing patient lists, and introducing the concept of a health centre into the law. He also highlighted amendments concerning the powers of the State Agency of Medicines regarding the distribution of medicinal products without a marketing authorization.
Liisa-Ly Pakosta focused on the amendment proposals introduced by the Eesti 200 faction, which stipulate the establishment of levies on tobacco producers and sellers. She emphasized that Estonia had been the only EU country where such fees were absent, and that they are necessary for tobacco producers to cover part of the health damages caused by nicotine, which constitute 6–15% of the state's healthcare costs. Following the discussions, the final vote was conducted, as a result of which the draft act was adopted as law.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 401, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning the amendment of the Health Services Organization Act and other acts, was passed into law with 65 votes in favor, 1 vote against, and 2 abstentions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi announced that they would proceed to the second item on the agenda and open the negotiations for the third reading of Bill 401, the Draft Act amending the Health Services Organization Act and other acts, with negotiators present to participate, including Tanel Kiik, on behalf and by authorization of the SDP faction.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik emphasizes the importance of continuity in the healthcare sector and introduces amendments to the Health Services Organization Act, particularly the streamlining of general practitioner care terminology and the introduction of the concept of health centers into the law.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi, the Deputy Chairman, apologized for the noise in the hall, noted five friendship groups who were currently engaged in conversation here, and asked for more room for the presenter, stating that important discussions could be held loudly outside the hall.
Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Liisa-Ly Pakosta confirmed that the Eesti 200 faction supported the draft bill, the aim of which is to improve access to family doctor care and establish proportional taxes on tobacco products for the protection of youth health, while also emphasizing that one must follow the laws oneself and set an example.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The duration of the presentation will be extended by three more minutes.
Liisa-Ly Pakosta
AI Summary
Liisa-Ly Pakosta said that health damages caused by nicotine account for 6–15% of Estonia’s healthcare costs, and it is proportional that importers of nicotine-containing products bear a share in covering these costs, which affects the state budget.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi concludes the debates and puts Bill 401, the Act amending the Health Services Organisation Act and other Acts, initiated by the Government of the Republic, to the final vote, asking colleagues to take a stand and cast their votes.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Bill 401 was passed into law: 65 in favor, 1 opposed, 2 abstentions.