A petition for the introduction of state support for dental services for pensioners and low-income residents has been launched on the public initiative portal Manabalss.lv. It is proposed to allocate 150 euros a year per person for these purposes.
What the initiative is about
The author of the proposal, Alisa Volkova, points out that dental care for adults in Latvia remains completely paid. According to her, this causes low-income individuals to often postpone treatment, unable to afford even basic procedures, ultimately leading to deteriorating health.
This concerns services such as tooth extraction and prosthetics, the absence of which can lead to issues with nutrition, well-being, and social isolation.
What changes are proposed
The initiative suggests introducing annual state support of 150 euros. These funds are proposed to be allocated for basic dental services, including tooth extraction, the creation and repair of removable dentures.
It is anticipated that the program can be utilized in clinics cooperating with the National Health Service as well as in private institutions with subsequent reimbursement of expenses.
Additionally, a system for accumulating funds is proposed. If the allocated amount is not used within a year, it can be carried over to the next period. The maximum limit will be 300 euros over two years — this will allow for the payment of more complex procedures.
Arguments of the authors
According to the initiators, such a measure will not require significant budgetary expenditures but will help address dental issues in a timely manner and reduce the risk of developing more serious diseases. In the long term, this could reduce healthcare system costs.
The authors of the initiative urge the Saeima to consider changes in legislation and ensure access to basic dental care for socially vulnerable groups of the population.
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