Patient fees in Estonia to rise next year

As the budget of Estonia's health insurance fund, the Haigekassa, is to be cut by 6% next year, patient fees for hospital stays are to be increased to Eek100 ($9.40) per day from the beginning of next year. At present, they are Eek25 per day during the first 10 days in hospital, and children and teenagers under 19 years of age, pregnant women and patients in intensive care wards are exempt.

The national association of patients criticised the decision to raise patient fees. It said that it would deprive poor people...