In November, the Uppsala regional council decided on revisions in the budget for 2020-2022. The decision includes adjustments to the region's patient fees, which means that some fees will be abolished or remain unchanged. But some fees will be raised such as the unit fee for primary care, the patient fee for visits to the emergency room and the prescription fee for assistive technology.

A decision that may affect economically vulnerable groups in society such as pensioners and low-income earners. One who is affected by the increase is pensioner Karin Näslund in Uppsala.

- I will have to think about it several times before I visit healthcare because it will take large sums out of my pension, says Karin Näslund.

"Many become sleepless"

Johanna Rudmark Hagström is social manager at the City Mission in Uppsala and several of the people who visit them avoid seeking medical care when they cannot afford it, she says. These people usually have low incomes and do not have welfare support, she says.

- Many become sleepless because they cannot pay their bills and then get one to pay SEK 500 for a visit to the emergency room, that margin does not exist. It will be an unequal care, says Johanna Rudmark Hagström.

Fees are raised every four years

According to Stefan Olsson (M), Chairman of the Regional Board, patient fees are changed every four years in connection with a new term of office.

- We make a cost adjustment and there are no extravagant increases in any way, says Stefan Olsson (M).

Watch the clip to hear more about the decision on patient fees.