Abu Meri: Lack of political consensus hinders mandatory health insurance in Latvia
Latvia's Health Minister Hosams Abu Meri says attempts to introduce mandatory health insurance have repeatedly failed due to a lack of political agreement. He stresses that a broad public debate and a clear choice of funding model are needed.
In a TV24 programme “On the Line”, Health Minister Hosams Abu Meri addressed a viewer's question about why Latvia has not followed Estonia's example in introducing mandatory health insurance. The minister said two draft amendments on the matter had been submitted to the Saeima but did not advance because of insufficient political support.
Abu Meri noted that currently every resident in Latvia can receive state-funded health care, particularly in acute cases. At the same time, the sector faces persistent problems, including inadequate funding, long waiting lists and a shortage of medical specialists.
One reason for the funding gap, according to the minister, is that not everyone using the health care system contributes equally through taxes. Some residents use services without paying taxes, others pay too little, while the rest meet their tax obligations in full and support the system on a solidarity basis.
The minister stressed that the introduction of mandatory health insurance cannot be resolved by the Health Ministry alone. It requires a broad political agreement and a public discussion. Abu Meri said a decision must be made whether to adopt a model similar to the Netherlands, Estonia or to develop Latvia's own approach, with all parties, public groups, associations and societies involved in the debate.
He recalled that discussions on health care financing have lasted for several years. Various solutions have been adopted, later repealed or changed, but a stable model has not yet been found. In his view, a major obstacle remains the lack of political will to clearly state that everyone who uses the health care system should also contribute to its financing.
