JHL (20.04.2016 - Heikki Jokinen) The Finnish Government wants to corporatize social welfare and health care services and make them subordinate to the market, says JHL Chief Executive Officer Päivi Niemi-Laine in the JHL blog.
It seems as if public service is some kind of blemish and private services something absolutely fabulous, she says.
”This view is wrong and shows that the Government has no understanding that most Finnish citizens pay tax, even gladly, to finance services for all. Public services belong to everyone and should not be handed over to the mercy of market forces.”
Päivi Niemi-Laine reminds us of the Government’s plans and their clear committment to bring about major savings when reforming the social welfare and health care structure. In spite of all that the Government intends to outsource a big part of the services to private companies.
This will not make the costs smaller and service better. Instead the profits of private service companies seem to be finding their way into tax havens.
”In Sweden the private social welfare and health care companies have turned greedy. They produce services mainly where the rich live. The rich buy more services and become 'overcatered' to”, Niemi-Laine says.
”Those who are worse off do not go to a doctor, as they do not necessarily make ends meet. According to a study made in Sweden the health differences between citizens have been growing since the freedom to choose between public and private services was introduced.”
Swedes are also angry at the way in which venture capital funds owned private social welfare and health care service companies are making profits out of public money. ”These companies do not pay taxes to Sweden but avoid taxes by hiding money in tax havens”, Niemi-Laine says.
”These tax avoiders are paying big dividends to their owners and at the same time lowering the quality of service.”
Päivi Niemi-Laine implores the Government not to make quick ideologically motivated decisions. A calm, measured way to proceed taking into account practical needs regarding services would be better. She also urges the Government to learn from the experiences in Sweden.