Targeted state subsidies for care queues risk crowding out other care

In 2025, the regions received targeted state grants to increase the number of cataract, hip replacement and prolapse surgeries and thus shorten the care queues. Almost all regions believe that the investment has contributed to shorter waiting times, according to the National Board of Health and Welfare's final report. Above all, more patients have been able to receive care from other care providers.

But in several regions, the investment has simultaneously affected which patients are prioritized. This is evident from the regions' report to the National Board of Health and Welfare, which SVT Nyheter has reviewed.

In total, 16 out of 21 regions write that the targeted investment has led or risks leading to other care being left behind, including care for patients with greater medical needs.

Other patients were affected

In Värmland, the region writes that the performance requirement led to a "certain crowding out effect" in eye care and that more medically prioritized patients were affected.

In Dalarna, planned operations had to be reprioritized when hip operations were judged to be more urgent. Blekinge also describes a "certain displacement effect".

"In summary, we see that this causes problems with ensuring equal care," writes Region Jämtland Härjedalen.

The criticism is in line with previous warnings from, among others, Sweden's Municipalities and Regions and the Medical Association.

"Not for profit company"

Health Minister Elisabet Lann (KD) says that areas were chosen where there is free capacity, and that the investment should not lead to crowding out.

- I want to remind you that the regions are not profit-making companies. If they are driven by financial incentives and depart from the principle of need, they are making serious mistakes, she says.

Several regions that SVT has been in contact with say that they take responsibility for the priorities, but that short notice has made the work difficult and that it is difficult to say no to government money when the economy is under pressure and the residents expect investments.

Long-term and general state subsidies, they believe, would reduce the risk of crowding out and wrong priorities. Lann believes that the regions are already getting it.

- This is only a small part of our investment in increased accessibility, she says.