Estonian Minister Proposes Enlarging Health Insurance Fund Supervisory Board

Estonian Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller has proposed expanding the supervisory board of the Estonian Health Insurance Fund (Haigekassa), the state body that administers health insurance in Estonia. According to the minister, the aim is to strengthen the board's scientific and expert capacity.

Joller told the broadcaster ERR that she had submitted an amendment to the health care organisation bill, which is currently being reviewed by the Social Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu, Estonia's parliament. The amendment would increase the number of board members. Debate in the Riigikogu is continuing.

The minister's rationale

Joller said that sustainable financing of the health system, accessibility and quality of services, and containing the growth of health spending require strong scientific and expert competence in decision-making. This is needed in addition to the labour market and patient perspectives that are already represented on the board.

She noted that the seventh member could be nominated by the University of Tartu, which has deep expertise in health economics and public health.

Current composition

The board presently has six members. The state's interests are represented by Joller herself and Finance Minister Jurgen Ligi. Insured persons are represented by Ulvi Tammer-Jaetes, a management board member of the Chamber of Disabled People, and Elle Putsepp of the Central Federation of Estonian Trade Unions. Employers' interests are represented by Hando Sutter, head of the Estonian Employers' Confederation, and Andi Kasak, a member of the confederation.