Session Profile: Siim Pohlak
15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
2024-03-19
Political Position
The political stance is strongly focused on supporting cancer patients, proposing to reduce the VAT on cancer medicines to 5% and establish an additional support measure to enhance the accessibility of these drugs. This position is driven by a social necessity, given that the current solidarity-based healthcare system does not cover all essential medications. This represents a policy- and value-driven approach, underscoring the need for governmental attention.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates knowledge of healthcare financing mechanisms, focusing on the regulation of VAT and the creation of support measures for private legal entities. Emphasis is placed on the problem where cancer drugs recommended by doctors are too expensive for patients and are excluded from the subsidies provided by the Health Insurance Fund.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is formal and substantive, utilizing a polite address to the Riigikogu ("Dear colleagues, servants of the people"). The tone is serious, stressing the urgency of resolving the social problem, with references made both to the legislative procedure and to a previous unsuccessful attempt. Both logical (the substance of the draft law) and emotional (the plight of cancer patients) appeals are employed.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The pattern of action involves submitting the legislative initiative on behalf of the parliamentary group and actively participating in the presentation of the draft bill to the plenary assembly. The speaker is aware of previous similar legislative attempts and political maneuvers (accelerated procedure before elections).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The criticism is aimed at the failure of the previous legislative process, where a similar bill stalled for a "strange reason," despite widespread support. Concerns are being raised that the government has not paid sufficient attention to the issue. The objection is procedural and centers on the lack of action.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker emphasizes previous cross-party support for a similar draft law, noting that during the pre-election period, all parliamentary groups backed it, including the Centre Party. Hope is expressed that this bill does not get stalled again, signaling a desire to achieve broad-based support.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is placed on national policy measures, such as the regulation of VAT and the creation of support measures, which affect the healthcare system nationwide. There is no regional focus.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives support a targeted tax reduction (lowering VAT to 5%) on cancer medicines, with the aim of improving social accessibility and affordability. Furthermore, the creation of a national support measure to assist private legal entities in purchasing these medicines is proposed.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social topic revolves around the accessibility of medication for cancer patients and resolving the shortcomings of the solidarity-based healthcare system. The necessity of ensuring state funding for the purchase of expensive, yet physician-recommended drugs is highlighted.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on the Riigikogu draft resolution titled "Making a proposal to the Government of the Republic to lower the VAT rate on cancer medicines." The speaker is acting as the initiator (on behalf of the EKRE faction) and stresses the necessity of preventing the draft from getting stalled, which occurred with a similar initiative during the previous parliamentary term.
2 Speeches Analyzed