Once again, the question of how much and from what sources to fund healthcare, which has been discussed for several years, has reached a deadlock, public media reports.
Last week, the government supported a proposal allowing state-funded treatment only for those who are registered or working in Latvia. As reported by the Latvian Television program "De facto," the Saeima's Social and Labor Affairs Commission is preparing to discuss this proposal.
Last year, 15,700 registered compatriots living abroad received treatment in Latvia, for which the state paid 2.9 million euros.
Currently, Latvian legislation allows all citizens of Latvia, non-citizens, and permanent residents to use state-funded medical services. Therefore, many people living abroad visit doctors when they come to Latvia. Typically, these are consultations with dentists, gynecologists, and family doctors.
Ilze, who lives in Ireland, learned of a diagnosis during a visit to a family doctor in Latvia that the doctors in her country of residence did not notice.
"And then, when I asked about the patient contribution, how much I had to pay, I was told - 2 euros. I asked - is it really only 2 euros? I am a visitor in this country because I live, work, and pay taxes in another country! And he said - yes, 2 euros, you are now our patient. How and why did I end up being a patient again? It was such a shock for me," shares her experience a Latvian woman living in Ireland.
She honestly states that opinions in the Latvian diaspora differ. One of her acquaintances is registered in both Ireland and Latvia but only visits Latvian doctors. Ilze herself views such actions negatively: "I believe that if we have left and are earning here, we have no right to rob those who stayed. In other words, by using these services, I am robbing my mother, sister, and brother who live there."
Baiba, who has lived and worked in Ireland for twenty years, shares that she has consulted doctors and even had surgeries in Latvia, fully covering the expenses herself. However, the Latvian state paid for a pediatric consultation for her child. In her opinion, this situation should be preserved.
"I think there are people who think: well, since you don’t need us, if you can’t provide even basic services for the child, then it is obvious that we are not needed in Latvia. There is no interest in returning to Latvia. Perhaps this is an emotional factor," said Baiba.
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