Free universal care proposed as solution to Finland’s mounting health-service queues
Experts argue that making basic health services free would eliminate long waiting lists and lower overall system costs in Finland.
Mika Seppälä and Kalevi Salonen suggest that Finland replace patient co-payments with a fully tax-financed, free-at-point-of-use primary-care system, paying private providers a fixed amount that mirrors public spending. They note that countries such as Denmark, Britain and Spain already offer free basic health services without overwhelming demand, and Helsinki’s experience with free clinic visits supports this view. The authors argue that current fee collection generates costly bureaucracy, delays treatment, and ultimately raises expenses through increased emergency visits and sick leave.
A fee-free model would also strengthen the system’s resilience against cyber-attacks or other disruptions, as essential records could be kept on paper. By meeting constitutional guarantees of adequate and equal health services, the plan aims to improve social fairness and national stability while reducing the fiscal burden.
Why it matters
Free universal care could ease Finland’s health-service backlogs and lower public spending.
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