Doctors urge Finnish government to reconsider plans to ban undocumented migrants from healthcare

Medical professionals in Finland are calling on the right-wing government to reconsider its proposal to ban undocumented migrants from accessing non-emergency healthcare, citing serious concerns over the impact on public health and vulnerable communities, The Guardian reported on Tuesday.

The government, led by Petteri Orpo’s conservative National Coalition Party and supported by the far-right Finns Party, plans to reverse a 2023 law that allows undocumented migrants full access to healthcare, the report said.

The proposed amendment, aimed at reducing spending and immigration, would still provide exemptions for children, people with disabilities, and those classified as “extremely vulnerable.”

However, the Finnish Medical Association and organizations like Physicians for Social Responsibility argue that restricting access could endanger lives. “Conditions such as diabetes or asthma could go untreated, putting people at risk of life-threatening emergencies,” warned Aino Tuomi-Nikula, an advisor for the latter group.

Critics, as per The Guardian, emphasized that healthcare is a fundamental human right and this law would lead to unnecessary suffering and undermine Finland’s commitment to justice.

Doctors warn that neglecting preventative care will likely increase healthcare costs in the long run, as untreated conditions lead to emergency situations. In response to these concerns, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has delayed the proposal’s presentation to parliament for further review.

Despite the pushback, the proposal remains strongly supported by the Finns Party, which views it as a key measure to reduce immigration.