On Wednesday, the red-green leadership in Region Västra Götaland presented its proposal for the regional budget 2024. Citing "extraordinarily tough economic times", the budget is underbalanced at 1.6 billion.
In 2023, the budget was underbalanced by 1.9 billion, and this is made possible by past good economic performance.
"If we hadn't underbalanced the budget, we might have had to close down large operations or parts of hospitals," says Helén Eliasson.
Criticized by the opposition
Despite the fact that the budget is underbalanced, there are large savings requirements on the hospitals, which SVT reported on earlier. For example, Skaraborg Hospital must save SEK 350 million during the current year. Sahlgrenska will save SEK 1.5 billion and, among other things, three psychiatric clinics have been threatened with closure.
The opposition is critical of the draft budget.
I am genuinely concerned about the red-green draft budget. It is a high-risk project that risks tearing large holes in the region's economy. Inflation and the major economic challenges that Sweden and the world around us are facing are turning a blind eye to the management," says Stefan Svensson (KD), Regional Councillor.
The measures to strengthen the economy presented in the red-green budget include increased patient fees by at least SEK 100 million, reduced administration and changes in healthcare.
Tax increase excluded
Raising taxes, on the other hand, is completely out of the question. Instead, the region wants more money from the government.
"We would have needed a decision from the government to provide resources for Swedish healthcare," says Helén Eliasson (S).
"Major investments in the regions would push up inflation further. Instead, the red-green leadership must take responsibility for putting the economy in order," says Stefan Svensson (KD).
According to the red-green leadership, it is necessary for the 2025 budget to be back in balance, but whether the economy has turned around by then is uncertain.