Stricter Fraud Controls in Sweden Increasing Hardships for the Sick
Policy changes in Sweden are worsening conditions for patients dealing with health insurance and medical certification.
Key Points
- • 80% of doctors find contact with Försäkringskassan difficult.
- • The government is combating false medical certificates by mandating reporting of suspected fraud.
- • Historical reforms have made it costlier to be sick, pressuring patients to work.
- • Corruption risks are heightened by the rise of organized crime in health services.
In Sweden, recent policy changes regarding health insurance and medical certification are making life increasingly difficult for patients. A staggering 80% of doctors have reported that their interactions with Försäkringskassan, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, are extremely challenging. This comes amidst intensified government efforts to combat fraudulent medical certificates, which now mandate that doctors report suspected fraud, regardless of intent.
Ulrik Åshuvud, the Secretary General of Transparency International Sweden, raised concerns about the implications of these policies. He noted that the rise in organized crime poses significant risks of corruption, which is exacerbated by privatization and deregulation of welfare services.
Historically, reforms initiated during former Prime Minister Reinfeldt's administration have made it more costly and difficult to be sick in Sweden, further pressuring patients to return to work, even against medical advice. The case of Jessica Hansson exemplifies this issue; despite her doctors' recommendations following a stroke, she was deemed fit for full-time employment. The overarching challenge highlighted by these developments is the state's growing perception of the sick as potential fraudsters, leading to significant systemic injustices against vulnerable populations.