Third Reading of the Draft Health Care Act (433 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Date: 2024-12-11 21:51
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 16
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 31m
AI Summaries: 16/16 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu discussed the draft public health act for its third reading. The draft’s purpose is to modernize and harmonize the legal basis of the sector, focusing on prevention, health protection, and the responsibility of stakeholders in the field. Different factions emphasized, above all, the quality and safety of health information, and adherence to evidence-based guidelines, including the fight against quackery and false health information. One keyword was the need to respond quickly to dangerous products and advertising, and to give the Health Board more effective powers. In addition, it was highlighted that the law must include clear preventive measures and increase health awareness at the level of kindergartens and schools. Another major topic covered current discussions on the impact of wind turbines on health (infrasound), the shifting coordination of gender self-determination regulation, and the prevention and control of false health information in the sector. Finally, a final vote was conducted, and the draft was adopted.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 433 has been adopted as a law by the Riigikogu. 54 members of the Riigikogu voted in favor, 10 voted against, and there were 0 abstentions.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Kalle Grünthal, a member of the EKRE faction (the right-wing political side). His long and rambling discussion focused on criticism of the bill, the topic of infrasound and the health effects of wind turbines, and presented specific observations regarding the possibility of suspending regulations before the completion of more detailed studies. Grünthal's active participation reflects a strong opposing perspective, and his role was noticeably expressed in the parliamentary discussion.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, announces that today’s ninth agenda item is the third reading of Public Health Act bill No. 433, opens negotiations, and invites Tanel Kiik from the Social Democratic Party faction to speak.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik supports a public health law that helps combat quack medicine and health misinformation, emphasizing that quack medicine is a direct threat to people’s lives and health.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanks, and on behalf of the Isamaa faction, asks Riina Solman to come here to the Riigikogu's speaking desk.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman presents an update to the Public Health Act, which strengthens preventive measures, places children's well-being at the forefront, and sets environmental and nutritional requirements for kindergartens, schools, and care facilities, and at the same time explains that the regulation of gender transition will move to another law and requires careful psychological counseling and a balanced approach to transgender issues.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This short speech is simply a confirmation: three minutes.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman emphasized that in matters relating to gender transition one must be vigilant and ensure that the removal of the waiting period, which occurred as a result of pressures in 2019–2021, and the changes made at the ministry level do not occur without the Riigikogu's oversight.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi announced that, on behalf of the EKRE faction, Kalle Grünthal would have to deliver the speech, and Grünthal requested additional time, asking for eight minutes.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal states that there is no knowledge in Estonia about the health effects of wind turbines, and the Public Health Act does not adequately address these risks; therefore wind turbine installation should be halted until 1 September next year, and, based on the WHO's 2018 guidelines and further studies, it should become clear where they may be erected, something that is also allowed by local municipalities.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Karmen Joller now takes the floor on behalf of the Reform Party faction in response to the speech and requests eight minutes of additional time.
Karmen Joller
AI Summary
Karmen Joller emphasizes that although the law is the first small step toward improving the health of the Estonian people, pseudomedicine and misinformation cause serious harm to health and even deaths, and there is a need to increase accountability and promote evidence-based medicine.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech is an expression of gratitude and a rebuttal to be presented on behalf of the EKRE faction, delivered by Kalle Grünthal.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal asserts the harmful effects of infrasound, urges Joller to read the WHO's 2018 guidelines on environmental noise, and recalls the anti-vaccine struggle during the COVID-19 era, asserts that 432 scientists want the use of mRNA vaccines halted, and finally adds that even doctors in white coats may lie, referring to the Nuremberg Trials.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, invited Irja Lutsar to speak on behalf of the Eesti 200 faction.
Irja Lutsar
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
Irja Lutsar stresses that the Medicines Agency's experts' response refutes the statements made about vaccination and has been published on Delfi, and she recommends that everyone read it and not give up on vaccination, because mRNA vaccines were the success story of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-speaker Toomas Kivimägi declared that the negotiations had ended and announced that the leading committee would carry out the final vote on draft 433 of the Public Health Act, and asked the Riigikogu to take a position and vote on draft 433 of the Public Health Act.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Draft bill 433 has been enacted into law: 54 members of the Riigikogu voted in favor, 10 against, and there were no abstentions.