Healthcare funding crisis
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Information Hour
Date: 2025-11-05 15:28
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 12m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Member of the Riigikogu Tanel Kiik submitted an interpellation to Prime Minister Kristen Michal regarding the healthcare funding crisis, accusing the government of setting the wrong priorities. Kiik sharply criticized the government's decision to grant over 100 million euros in tax breaks to the wealthier segment of society amid a budget deficit, while the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa) is facing a deepening shortfall and the social sector, including special welfare services, is underfunded. Kiik asked why healthcare and the social sector have been relegated to the "role of the poor relation" and why a progressive income tax is not being implemented.
Prime Minister Michal rejected the accusations of creating a historical deficit, shifting responsibility to previous governments. He defended the tax reform, emphasizing that abolishing the tax hump brings significant relief to average wage earners (teachers, police officers), essentially giving them an extra month's salary per year. Regarding healthcare funding, Michal noted that the Tervisekassa deficit is smaller than planned and reserves are not being depleted. He stressed that the solution lies not in injecting additional money, but in improving system efficiency, eliminating duplication, and increasing e-consultations. In a follow-up question, Reili Rand expressed concern about the optimization of the hospital network, fearing a decline in service availability in peripheral regions (such as Hiiumaa and Saaremaa). The Prime Minister confirmed that the Minister of Social Affairs is working on a plan, which will be finalized by the end of the year and will involve communities, based on common sense.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Most Active Speaker
Tanel Kiik was the most active speaker, raising pointed and ideological questions about the government's priorities in the context of the healthcare funding crisis, and criticizing the Prime Minister's responses. He represents the opposition (other).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar introduced the next item on the agenda, yielding the floor to Riigikogu member Tanel Kiik, who is set to pose a question to Prime Minister Kristen Michal regarding the healthcare funding crisis.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik sharply criticizes the government’s budget priorities, arguing that despite a historically deficit budget, over 100 million euros are being channeled as tax breaks to the wealthiest segment of society. At the same time, the healthcare and social sectors are left in the role of a neglected stepchild amid a deepening funding crisis. He then asks why it is not possible to implement a progressive income tax to improve the accessibility of healthcare services.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal began by criticizing previous governments (such as the EKREIKE and Jüri Ratas governments), which, according to him, depleted reserves and created budget deficits that the current government has had to patch up. He then defended the tax policy concerning average and median wages, emphasizing that the abolition of the tax hump will give average wage earners (e.g., teachers and police officers) nearly 1,800 euros extra next year, which is essentially one month's salary. Finally, he confirmed that the Health Insurance Fund's deficit is smaller than planned and that reserves are being used responsibly to ensure the availability of healthcare services.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar gave the floor to Tanel Kiik so he could ask a clarifying question.
Tanel Kiik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Tanel Kiik accuses the government of relegating healthcare and the social sector to the background of its priorities, noting they are chronically underfunded. He cites long treatment waiting lists and the deficit in special care funding as examples, contrasting this with the generous funding found for the Reform Party’s election promises and supporting the wealthier segment of society. He further accuses the Reform Party of consistently ignoring the long-term funding crisis and questions why they are focusing on trivial disputes instead of tackling major problems.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal is drawing a line under the issue of the Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa) director’s resignation, noting that the search for a new head is ongoing. She emphasizes, however, that improving the efficiency of the healthcare system requires more than just additional funding; the system must be reformed from within by eliminating duplication and improving service quality. For a detailed analysis of the system, she recommends consulting Karmen Joller, while also acknowledging the excellent work of Estonian healthcare workers.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the previous speaker and then procedurally gave the floor to Reili Rand, who asked a follow-up question.
Reili Rand
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Reili Rand has voiced concerns regarding the plans to optimize the hospital network, fearing that these changes will further diminish the already limited availability of services. She worries it will also increase the out-of-pocket expenses and overall costs for residents of rural areas, such as Hiiumaa and Saaremaa, when accessing medical care. Consequently, she is demanding clarification from the government on how they plan to ensure equal treatment and the inclusion of these communities in the decision-making process.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
On behalf of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed that the service reorganization plan is currently being drafted. This process involves stakeholders and is guided by common sense, aiming to review regional needs by the end of the year and bring the most essential services closer to the public. For more detailed information, she recommended inviting the Minister of Social Affairs.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanked the audience and announced that the consideration of today's sixth question was thereby concluded.