Estonian Social Affairs Minister Withdraws Proposal to Expand Health Insurance Fund Board

Estonian Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller, who chairs the board of the Estonian Health Insurance Fund, has withdrawn her proposal to enlarge the board by one member. She had wanted to strengthen the board's scientific competence. The Health Insurance Fund is the Estonian institution that manages healthcare funding. Joller told Estonian public broadcaster ERR about the decision.

Why the minister backed down

Joller explained that she decided to withdraw the proposal after a discussion in the board. Of its six members, two supported it and four opposed it. The minister stressed that it is only natural for the board's chair to discuss issues with its members and take their views into account.

What the minister had proposed

Last week Joller said she wanted to bring scientific and expert knowledge of healthcare into the board's work. In her words, sustainable funding of the health system, the availability and quality of services, and the ability to cope with rising healthcare costs require decisions to draw on in-depth, evidence-based expertise, in addition to the views of employees and patients already represented on the board.

Under the proposal, the seventh board member could have been nominated by the University of Tartu, which has serious expertise in health economics and public health.

Board composition

The Health Insurance Fund board has six members. Besides Joller, they are Finance Minister Jürgen Ligi, Ulvi Tammer-Jäätes of the management board of the Estonian Chamber of Disabled People, Elle Pütsepp of the Estonian Trade Union Confederation, Hando Sutter, head of the Estonian Employers' Confederation, and Andi Kazak, also of the Employers' Confederation.