Second Reading of the Draft Act amending the Health Insurance Act and, in connection therewith, amending other Acts (Prevention of Incapacity for Work) (Bill 377 SE)
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 3rd session, plenary session
Date: 2024-04-10 19:55
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 9
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 11m
AI Summaries: 9/9 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The 10th item on the agenda was the second reading of Draft Act 377, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning the amendment of the Health Insurance Act and related amendments to other acts (prevention of incapacity for work). The purpose of the draft act is to give employees the opportunity to work during long-term illness, extend the care allowance for parents up to 60 days, and establish a new regulation for the compensation of medicines and medical devices, which would reduce the patient's co-payment for high-cost components. Furthermore, the social tax exemption will be extended to all temporary incapacity benefits if the employer compensates the employee for lost wages during sick leave or care leave. The initial reading took place on March 6th; discussions were held on April 2nd and 8th in preparation for the second reading, and invited interest groups submitted their opinions. Opinions regarding the draft act were submitted by the Estonian Chamber of Disabled People, the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Chamber of Bailiffs and Bankruptcy Trustees, and various ministries and agencies. An official separate discussion was held with interest groups on April 2nd, where both support and concerns were highlighted regarding assessments, cooperation flows, and keywords related to potential additional benefits.
Decisions Made 4
The draft bill will be placed on the Plenary Session's agenda for its second reading, and the conclusion of the second reading will proceed according to the schedule.
The plan to hold the third reading during the Riigikogu plenary session on April 17 was approved.
The Steering Committee supported the three proposed amendments by consensus and fully incorporated them into the final version of the draft bill.
The changes resulting from the language editing were approved by consensus, incorporated, and had no substantive impact.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was pid FOL4jNt4doI, who serves as the chairman of the Social Affairs Committee (party: Centre Party/left). The focus of his presentations, both in tone and substantive contribution, centered on guiding the discussion and coordinating the subsequent procedures for the draft bill. This demonstrated strong leadership and excellent presentation skills in sharing knowledge.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas informed the assembly that we are moving on to the tenth item on the agenda, where we will discuss the second reading of the government-initiated amendments to the Health Insurance Act and associated legislation (Draft Bill 377).
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Õnne Pillak confirms that she is already here.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas welcomed Õnne Pillak, the Chairperson of the Social Affairs Committee, at the Riigikogu rostrum.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Õnne Pillak introduced Bill 377, initiated by the Government of the Republic, before the Riigikogu. The bill allows working during long-term illness, extends the care allowance for parents up to 60 days, establishes reduced co-payments for the costs of major medicines and medical devices, and extends the social tax exemption to temporary incapacity benefits. Ideas were gathered and consensus amendments were made during discussions held in the Social Affairs Committee and with interest groups, and further procedure for the second reading was planned, leading to the confirmation of the third reading in the Riigikogu plenary session on April 17.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas thanks the presenter and asks if there are any questions.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Õnne Pillak invites listeners to watch something together.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas says that we look here and there, but there is nothing, and he thanks the listeners.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas announced that three amendments had been received concerning draft bill 377, all of which were decided to be fully accepted, and he requested that their review commence; the leading committee recommended the conclusion of the second reading, and this has now been concluded concurrently with the consideration of the tenth item on the agenda.