First Reading of the Draft Resolution of the Riigikogu "Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic to Lower the VAT Rate on Cancer Medicines" (277 OE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Date: 2024-03-19 14:57
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 17
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 19m
AI Summaries: 17/17 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
This agenda item focused on the first reading of Riigikogu Draft Resolution 277, which was submitted by the faction of the Conservative People's Party of Estonia. The aim of the draft resolution is to lower the VAT on cancer medicines to 5% and to create a special support measure for private legal entities to purchase medicines, thereby improving the availability of pharmaceuticals for cancer patients. The need to continue the solidarity of the healthcare system was also emphasized, as was the necessity of resolving bottlenecks related to the partial coverage of medicines funded by the Health Insurance Fund (Haigekassa). Tolerance and a willingness to cooperate between different factions were also discussed, given that similar draft resolutions have been submitted previously but have stalled. The debate addressed both the content of the draft resolution and its broader impact on healthcare and the economy: specifically, which medicines should be subject to the 5% VAT, how to leave the question open for the broader pharmaceutical sector, and what the direct impact on the state budget and national funding systems would be. By the final address, it became clear that the draft resolution did not receive the necessary support and the proceedings would be dropped; the session concluded with procedural questions, but the discussion will continue in the future.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 277 failed to gain the necessary support; the proceedings were terminated, and the bill is dropped from the legislative process.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Siim Pohlak (pid Nm6t5Eds7aw). He spoke a couple of times during the agenda item, representing the EKRE faction, shaping the content of the discussion, and drawing attention to the bill's objectives and any potential loopholes in its application. His political positioning is right-wing; he acts factionally as a representative of the group and has demonstrated strong leadership on the topic throughout the debates.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The Riigikogu now moves to the second item on the agenda, which is the first reading of Draft Resolution 277, submitted by the EKRE faction, concerning the Riigikogu decision titled "Proposal to the Government of the Republic to lower the VAT rate on cancer medicines." Siim Pohlak is requested to take the floor.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Siim Pohlak stated that the Estonian Conservative People's Party submitted a draft bill to the Parliament (Riigikogu) aimed at reducing the value-added tax (VAT) on cancer medicines to 5%, along with a proposal to establish a support measure for private individuals purchasing these drugs, in order to improve their accessibility. He emphasized that the solidarity-based healthcare system does not cover everyone, often leaving cancer patients to seek assistance, and noted that similar draft bills previously submitted by opposition parties have stalled.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas told the rapporteur that he had at least one question, and asked Riina Solman to pose that question.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman noted that during the previous parliamentary session, a bill similar to the one proposed by Viktoria Ladõnskaja-Kubits of the Isamaa faction was submitted, which was supported by all factions and even reached the first reading. She then asked why it had stalled and what should be done differently so that such a necessary bill wouldn't get bogged down.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Siim Pohlak recalls that back then, in the run-up to the elections, all political parties supported the draft bill. Newspaper headlines confirmed that every single faction in the Riigikogu was behind the idea, and the opposition proposed accelerating the procedure and holding the readings before the vote. However, the process stalled, and he hopes the same fate doesn't befall the current bill.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas thanked the rapporteur, stated that there were no questions, and invited Annely Akkermann, Chairman of the Finance Committee, to the Riigikogu rostrum for her presentation.
Annely Akkermann
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Finance Committee discussed the draft legislation concerning the reduction of the VAT rate on cancer medicines and adopted procedural decisions: specifically, to include the bill on the plenary session agenda and to appoint the representative of the lead committee, which was the speaker addressing you now.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas offered his thanks and announced that there were no questions. He then opened the debate and invited Riina Solman, the representative of the Isamaa faction, to the podium to make her presentation.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman explains that the purpose of this similarly-worded draft bill is to reduce the VAT on cancer medicines to 5%, thereby lowering drug prices and improving their availability. She points to Isamaa's earlier proposal and the impact that donations from the Kingitud Elu fund have had on the state budget, emphasizing that the state does not finance all necessary medications and that rising taxes will make treatment even harder.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas requested eight minutes and three minutes of extra time.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman, speaking on behalf of the Isamaa party, urged support for a bill that would provide financial aid for medical expenses to the sick, thereby giving them vitality and hope for recovery. She simultaneously criticized the government's tax policy, while also mentioning her personal losses to cancer and referencing the example set by the 'Kingitud Elu' foundation.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas invited Irja Lutsar, the representative of the Eesti 200 faction, to the podium.
Irja Lutsar
Profiling Eesti 200 fraktsioonAI Summary
Irja Lutsar emphasized that applying the 5% VAT to medicines creates significant ambiguity, and it must be clearly determined which medicines and which diseases fall under its scope. She recommended joint price negotiations with European countries and did not support the law in its current form.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas announced the conclusion of the discussions, reported that no amendments had been received, and subsequently began preparations for the final vote, placing Bill 277 before the assembly for a final vote.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Bill 277 received 23 votes in favor but failed to gather the necessary support; consequently, it was not adopted and is removed from the proceedings. Consideration of the second agenda item is concluded.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal points out that the vote on the bill to reduce VAT on cancer medications failed to gain support, and questions whether those who didn't show up to the chamber and abstained from voting essentially cast a vote against the measure.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas stated that the mandate of a Riigikogu member grants freedom under the law, and therefore it is impossible to provide a single, definitive interpretation. Following this, the discussion of the second item on the agenda was concluded.