Parliament committee probes why rising health spending has not shortened queues

Estonia’s parliamentary committee on state budget oversight will examine why rising healthcare costs have not improved access to care or shortened treatment queues, ERR reports. The committee meets on Monday at 1:15 p.m. to discuss a new report by the National Audit Office, and the session will be livestreamed on ERR’s website.

The report, titled “Healthcare under pressure: capacity to cope”, will be discussed with Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller, Health Insurance Fund board chair Siiri Lahe and other health sector representatives. Those invited also include the fund’s primary care portfolio manager Liis Kruus and board member Pille Banhard; Estonian Chamber of Disabled People chair Meelis Joost and health advocacy adviser Tuuli Seinberg; and National Institute for Health Development research director Kaire Innos.

Other invitees are Estonian Society of Family Doctors board chair Elle-Mall Sadrak, Estonian Hospitals Association chair Urmas Sule, Estonian Ambulance Association chair Tuuli Paju, University of Tartu medical sciences dean Külli Kingo, Auditor General Janar Holm and National Audit Office chief auditor Ines Metsalu-Nurminen.

Committee chair Urmas Reinsalu of Isamaa said the audit clearly points to efficiency problems in the healthcare system. Healthcare spending rose by 61% between 2020 and 2025, reaching more than 3.3 billion euros in 2025.

The report also says patients’ out-of-pocket share of healthcare costs was 21% in 2024, well above the European Union average of 15% and the World Health Organization’s recommended limit. The greatest burden falls on people needing dental care, care services and prescription medicines.

The audit notes that more than 20 strategy documents and development plans are being pursued simultaneously at the ministry, spreading limited resources and IT capacity rather than focusing on the acute shortage of family doctors.