Serious concerns regarding the cutting of Kela contributions continue. Kela contributions should be increased rather than decreased. The contributions can significantly shorten care waiting lists that grew during the Covid-19 pandemic and improve the availability of care, state health and social services business organisations.
The government is currently preparing to dismantle multi-channel financing. In practice, this may mean that the Kela contributions received by an individual will be significantly reduced or even stop altogether. The government plans for this to already take place in 2023.
“We should remain calm here. There are currently too many reforms going on at the same time. With Kela contributions, the resources and know-how of private health and social services companies are put to the use of Finns”, says Harri Jaskari, director at Suomen Yrittäjät (an interest and service organisation for small and medium-sized enterprises).
“If the current system is dismantled, a solution must be brought in to replace it, which secures the opportunity for customers to seek care where they can get the service”, says Tanja Matikainen, Local Government and Business Affairs manager of Suomen Yrittäjät.
It would affect the everyday life of people living in remote areas and those with low incomes
The removal of Kela contributions would weaken the availability of services, especially for those living in peripheral areas and those with lower incomes, according to a report by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.
“Kela contributions are not only used by people with good incomes. Contributions are very important, especially for people with low incomes. Without Kela contributions, public sector services will experience waiting lists and the care debt will grow, even if the service is easily available from private operators”, illustrates Ismo Partanen of Lääkäripalveluyritykset ry (LPY) (medical service companies).
The level of Kela contributions has been significantly reduced since 2015. The downsizing has not reduced the use of services, but it has increased the portions that the customers have to pay themselves.
“In addition, we have several services, for example, the services of an ophthalmologist and a gynaecologist, where access to treatment for an ordinary Finn is completely dependent on Kela contributions and private sector operators”, reminds Panu Tast, managing director of the Finnish Association of Vision and Eyecare NÄE ry.
“Public sector services cannot be accessed within a reasonable amount of time, and the health and social services reform will not change this. Society must be able to secure access to care at reasonable costs. Kela contributions are a tool that works here”, continues Satu Grekin, executive director of Suomen Kuntoutusyrittäjät (rehabilitation companies).
The organisations remind that there are approximately 18,000 companies in the health and social services sector in Finland, and they have approximately 88,000 employees who are ready to serve customers who require care.
Director Harri Jaskari, Suomen Yrittäjät
Executive Director Ismo Partanen, Lääkäripalveluyritykset LPY
CEO Panu Tast, Finnish Association of Vision and Eyecare NÄE ry
Executive Director Satu Grekin, Suomen Kuntoutusyrittäjät
