Doctors criticize Finnish proposal to deny health care to migrants

Doctors have called on Finland’s right-wing government to change its “problematic and harmful” plans to deny undocumented migrants access to non-emergency healthcare, warning it could cost lives.

The government, which includes the far-right Finnish party and is led by conservative National Coalition Party leader Petteri Orpo, has proposed rolling back a 2023 law giving undocumented migrants access to full health care, saying it is in line with plans to cut spending and immigration.

But the Finnish Medical Association has opposed the plans, which it says are “highly problematic and harmful in many ways”.

While there would be some exceptions – including children, people with health classified as “extremely vulnerable” and people with disabilities – doctors warn the impact of the new restrictions could be life-threatening, as people with conditions such as diabetes or asthma could be left without treatment.

Aino Tuomi-Nikula, advisor for Physicians for Social Responsibility, said: “Those who put forward this proposal pretend that we don’t have enough money for everyone and that full access to healthcare would attract more people to Finland. We know that this is not true and that it is actually cheaper to treat conditions in advance through primary care than to leave them to emergency care. This measure is a political stunt to crack down on marginalised people and to take advantage of public fear of migrants.”

Louise Bonneau, an advocate for the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants, said: “Healthcare is a fundamental human right, not a privilege reserved for a few. This law, if passed, would cause suffering and betray Finland’s commitment to equality and justice. This law must be rejected.”

Physicians for Social Responsibility have said the amendment would negatively impact the health of undocumented immigrants, “increase human suffering” and likely ultimately increase health care costs.

“Doctors and nurses must be able to do their work ethically and sustainably, and the operation of healthcare institutions must not be made even more difficult,” the statement to the government said.

The proposal, which was strongly supported by the Finnish party, was due to be presented to parliament next week. But the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health said on Tuesday that it would not be submitted until after Christmas, saying the proposal “needs more time to prepare”.

Under the amendment, access to vaccinations and treatments against certain infectious diseases considered a threat to public health would be exempted.