Draft law amending the State Duty Act and the Act on Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances and Their Precursor Substances (state duties in the health and social sphere) (502 SE) - first reading
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, plenary session
Date: 2024-10-24 02:21
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 9m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu discussed the draft law amending the State Duty Act and the Act on Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances (state duties in the health and social sector) in the first reading, 502. Minister of Health Riina Sikkut introduced the draft law, the main objective of which is to increase the state duties under the administration of the Ministry of Social Affairs (Social Insurance Board, Health Board, Medicines Agency) to bring them into better alignment with actual procedural costs. The Minister emphasized that many of the duties have remained unchanged for 8–15 years and currently cover only a marginal portion of the actual costs.
The changes primarily affect activity permits for providers of health and social services. For example, the state duty for an activity permit for a new pharmacy will increase from 150 euros to 500 euros, and the fee for an activity permit for the provision of social services will increase from 32 euros to 100 euros. Despite the significant increase, it is projected that the duties will continue to cover only about 45% of the Medicines Agency’s procedural costs. The projected additional revenue for the state budget is nearly 139,000 euros. The Chairman of the Social Affairs Committee, Madis Timpson, presented the results of the committee's discussion, where it was found that the increase in state duties has a marginal impact on drug prices, taking into account the volume of the drug market, and that Estonian duties are still lower than those in other European countries (e.g., Finland).
Decisions Made 2
At the proposal of the steering committee (social committee), it was decided to conclude the first reading of bill 502.
The deadline for submitting amendments was set for November 6, 2024, at 5:15 PM.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was the chairman of the social committee, Madis Timpson, who presented a thorough report on the executive committee’s discussions and procedural decisions.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller announces that we are moving on to today's final, the eighth item on the agenda, the topic of which is the government-initiated draft bill to amend the State Fee Act and the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances and Their Precursors Act, and its first reading.
Terviseminister Riina Sikkut
AI Summary
The draft bill to amend state fees will raise next year's state fees for licenses for the production and wholesale of medicines, for pharmacy services, for the provision of primary care and specialist medical care, and for social services, as well as for licenses for the import and export of narcotic and psychotropic substances, in order to better reflect actual costs and ensure better provision of public services; the expected additional revenue is about 139,000 euros.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The deputy chairman Arvo Aller announces that there is a question, and asks Riina Solman to present it.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman posed a question about bureaucracy and asked whether state fees have increased by more than 100% and the accompanying bureaucratic costs are really that large.
Terviseminister Riina Sikkut
AI Summary
Riina Sikkut emphasizes that procedures in regulated sectors are specific and require trained people, government fees will rise but remain affordable and cover on average about 45% of the costs, so that the burden on the applicant does not become large.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
There are no further questions, thank you; from now on you are requested to present the discussion that took place in the steering committee to the chair of the Social Committee, Madis Timpsoni.
Madis Timpson
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The Riigikogu Social Committee discussed the increase of state fees, addressed the related impact on drug prices and comparisons with European countries, and decided by consensus to place the bill on the plenary agenda for 23 October 2024, designate Madis Timpson as the lead committee representative, and conclude the first reading.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
The deputy chairman Arvo Aller concludes his speech, saying that there are no questions, and thanks the audience.
Madis Timpson
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Madis Timpson thanked the listeners.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Arvo Aller announced that, although negotiations are open, there is no desire to continue them; the first reading of draft bill 502 has been completed; the deadline for submitting amendments is 6 November at 17:15; and today's session has ended. Safe journey home to everyone.