We make a difference!
An appeal for modern welfare
Privately operated health care is one of Sweden's most vilified industries. This is an
unqualified and unfair view which should not be allowed to stand unchallenged. Therefore,
we have decided to start an appeal where we note how 11,000 companies and 160,000
employees make a difference and contribute to modern welfare.
We have many reasons for our appeal – we've collected ten of them here:
For modern welfare. Along with health care in the public sector, those of us who work in privately
operated health care contribute to ensuring higher quality, increased availability and diversity - what
we call modern welfare.
For quality. Study after study shows that privately operated health care gets high marks in terms
of quality and customer care. Often higher than the average for the entire sector.
For availability. Private alternatives contribute to the existence of health care near you, regardless
of whether you live in the big city or in the countryside. Waiting lists have gotten shorter and care
reaches more people. Even appointments have become more flexible, for example, you can now
book a doctor's appointment after work at some clinics.
For diversity. 93 percent of the 11,000 companies within private health care are small businesses
with fewer than 20 employees. The industry has a high percentage of business owners and
employees with a foreign background. Many companies also conduct niche operations for people
with special needs, activities which municipalities and county councils often lack the opportunity to
pursue.
For the right to choose. Regardless of the reason, we think that it is important for there to be
different options. Nobody should be at the mercy of a single option when it comes to something as
important as health care.
For employees. Over 160,000 employees within private health make invaluable contributions to
welfare every day. Their future becomes unclear when politicians - both on the left and the right add populist proposals which would prevent their 11,000 employers from providing health care.
For equal employment. 54 percent of the companies in private health care are run by women.
That's almost double compared to other business sectors.
For the future. With an aging population, Sweden's health care needs are steadily increasing. All
forces in welfare are important – both public and private - in order for everyone to get the health
care they need. Private health care is one of the fastest growing industries, for example, more than
a thousand new places in private care for the elderly are planned in the next two years. Places
which would not exist without the private alternatives.
For development and innovation. Many people have started businesses within private health care
in order to be able to utilise and develop their own and their employees' ideas and suggestions for
new ways of working.
Because it wasn't better before. It is easy to forget what it looked like in Sweden before private
alternatives were allowed. Health queues were longer and availability was worse, particularly in rural
areas. A return to health care solely in the public sector - which is the consequence of a profit ban means an unsustainable decline in welfare.
Who are we?
We are 2,000 companies in the industry organisation Vårdföretagarna [The Association of Private
Care Providers] and represent over 125,000 employees in private health care. We are proud to make
a difference.