Finnish government faces criticism over extended treatment guarantee for healthcare and dental services

The Finnish government’s proposal to extend the treatment guarantee for primary healthcare and dental services is facing criticism, as most respondents believe it will actually slow down access to care. Minister of Social Affairs and Health Kaisa Juuso defends the extension, citing economic pressures and placing responsibility on welfare regions.

The proposal aims to achieve annual savings of at least €95 million, though the Finnish Dental Association warns it may worsen patient conditions. The summer consultation round also examined the potential discontinuation of round-the-clock emergency services and a reduction in staffing requirements for elderly care facilities.

During the summer months, the government advanced challenging savings initiatives for social and healthcare services. While some support the government’s approach, many critics argue that the extended treatment guarantee would hinder timely access and fails to enhance care planning and staffing conditions.

Juuso emphasizes that the economic adjustment pressures necessitate these measures and states that under the proposal, patients would have a maximum wait time of three months for non-urgent primary care, a substantial increase from the current two-week limit. The dental treatment guarantee would extend to six months, up from four.

Despite a recent tightening of access restrictions, which went into effect in September 2023, preliminary data indicates an improvement in timely access to care. However, the overall consensus from most respondents is that access to care is expected to become slower. Juuso asserts that the responsibility for access lies with the welfare regions, highlighting the importance of measures taken to enhance telemedicine and digital services.

The government is also contemplating a significant hike in healthcare user fees, with proposed increases of over 20% for primary care and 45% for specialized services starting next year. These measures will be assessed in light of their cumulative impact before being presented to Parliament this fall.