Ingvild Kjerkol (Labor Party) and Kjersti Toppe (Social Democrats) discuss the deductible in the exemption card scheme – NRK

Sp’s alternative state budget for next year was presented to the Storting on Thursday.

This is happening at the same time that the Center Party is doing its best poll since the EU struggle in the 1990s. But with 20.2 percent support, the Labor party breathes down its neck.

The Center Party will spend 29 billion more in oil money than the government, and it will be the tax-relief party on the red-green side.

Vedum is criticized for being irresponsible when spending money. Conservatives believe that Sp’s medicine will lead to poorer Norway. SV says they are disappointed that the party weakens state revenues.

Also the most potential partner in a new red-green government after next year’s parliamentary elections, has a hen to choose from with Sp.

It is in one area in particular that the Labor Party is surprised.

The Center Party proposes to increase the maximum deductible limit in the exemption card system to NOK 3,030.

The increase means that the chronically ill will have higher costs for drugs, doctor visits and medical treatment.

Today, this limit is 2460 crowns. The government, for its part, intends to increase it to NOK 3,183.

– Terribly antisocial

– This priority surprises and disappoints us at the same time. It is terribly antisocial and supportive of the government’s policy, says Ingvild Kjerkol (Labor).

He is the Labor Party health policy spokesperson and sits on the Storting’s health and care committee.

The consequence will be harsh for several hundred thousand Norwegians, according to the party.

It’s an unusually bad time in the middle of a pandemic, Kjerkol believes. The Labor Party itself proposes a ceiling on deductibles of NOK 2,460.

– Even though the Center Party has spent a few hundred million on its maximum deductible limit, there are still more than 800,000 Norwegian patients who incur higher costs. No one should experience it. That is why the Labor Party accepts the entire bill, he says.

– They have approached us

It may seem overwhelming that 800,000 Norwegians receive higher healthcare costs, but it is not a large amount per patient.

However, Kjerkol has a hard time swallowing that Sp is following in the government’s footsteps.

In health, those of the red-green side have approached throughout this legislature. Essentially many of the same priorities. But in the case of the deductible, we fundamentally disagree, says Kjerkol.

Q: – You don’t tell the truth

Health policy spokesperson Kjersti Toppe in the Center Party also sits on the health committee in the Storting.

– I well understand that the Labor Party is eager to criticize the Socialist Party when we do almost as well in the polls as the Labor Party, says Kjersti Toppe in the Center Party.

She says that Kjerkol is not telling the truth.

– The Fiesta del Centro increases the deductible ceiling for the healthiest. At the same time, the maximum deductible limit is lowered for those who use health services the most. It is not antisocial, but on the contrary a social change.

Toppe also rejects that the Center Party supports the government’s proposal, which implies a total increase in deductibles of just over NOK 300 million.

– The Center Party’s proposal is budget neutral. In other words, we won’t accept any more deductibles until next year.

And add:

– In its budget proposal, the Labor Party prioritizes money to reduce deductibles for everyone. Instead, the Center Party prioritizes money to reduce deductibles for the sickest and instead strengthen services.

Toppe mentions several examples. How to strengthen municipal health services and the hospital budget, and 200 million in funds allocated to a corona package for nursing homes where the most vulnerable live by the pandemic.

– We believe it is more correct in a pandemic to prioritize lower deductibles for everyone, says Toppe.