2025-04-102024/25:SoU22 · p.25SoUHealth & social services
Healthcare for foreigners etc.
Receiving severely ill patients from Gaza in Swedish healthcare
What's at stake: The decision affects severely ill and injured civilians in a conflict zone and their chances of receiving urgent care abroad, as well as Sweden's role among the European countries that receive such patients. If the motions are rejected, Sweden's support continues to be provided as aid and equipment rather than by receiving patients for treatment in the country.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether Sweden should act to receive and treat severely ill patients from Gaza, in line with other European countries, or whether Sweden's current humanitarian support and equipment aid via the EU's civil protection mechanism is a sufficient response.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee notes that a minister highlighted in an interpellation debate that Sweden is a major core donor to key humanitarian actors on the ground, and that medical and healthcare equipment has been donated to Egypt through the EU's civil protection mechanism. Against this background, the committee considers that parliament should not take any initiative in response to the motions calling for Sweden to receive patients from Gaza, and rejects them.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 35 (V, MP)
The reservation (V, MP) calls for Sweden, in line with several other European countries, to receive severely ill patients from Gaza in acute need of care, as part of the effort to protect healthcare and safeguard civilian lives in the conflict.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 35 by V, MP.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | No 0/19/0/5 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| S | No | Yes 89/0/0/17 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| MP | No | No 0/13/0/5 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| C | No | Yes 20/0/0/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 12/0/0/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| KD | No | Yes 14/0/0/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| M | Yes | Yes 56/0/0/12 | follows the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| SD | Yes | Yes 62/0/0/10 | follows the plan | confidence: high | derived |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects the motions 2024/25:1923 by Nooshi Dadgostar et al. (V) motion 41, 2024/25:3020 by Nooshi Dadgostar et al. (V) motion 15 and 2024/25:3043 by Jacob Risberg et al. (MP) motion 21.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2024/25:1923 av Nooshi Dadgostar m.fl. (V) yrkande 41, 2024/25:3020 av Nooshi Dadgostar m.fl. (V) yrkande 15 och 2024/25:3043 av Jacob Risberg m.fl. (MP) yrkande 21.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag rejected approximately 120 proposals in motions on skills supply, e-health and preparedness. The motions were submitted during the general motion period 2024 and concern, among other things, a national plan for healthcare's skills supply and preparedness within healthcare. The Riksdag refers primarily to the fact that work is already underway in the areas covered by the proposals.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants a national action plan to ensure expertise and staffing in welfare on both short and long term. (V, MP) — Reservation 35
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan wants Sweden to participate wholeheartedly in working with the world's great challenges and be a steady voice for human rights and peace, and that the country provides a refuge from war and oppression.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants Sweden to participate wholeheartedly in working with the world's great challenges and be a steady voice for human rights and peace, and that the country provides a refuge from war and oppression. That taking in severely injured patients from Gaza for care is a concrete expression of that international solidarity and of valuing civilian lives. The plan does not mention medical evacuation particularly, so the stance is derived.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill att Sverige deltar helhjärtat i arbetet med världens stora utmaningar och är en stadig röst för mänskliga rättigheter och fred, och att landet ger en fristad undan krig och förtryck. Att ta emot svårt skadade patienter från Gaza för vård är ett konkret uttryck för den internationella solidariteten och för att värna civila liv. Planen nämner inte medicinsk evakuering särskilt, så ställningstagandet är härlett.
- wholehearted international responsibilitydecisive»Vi vill att Sverige ska vara ett land som deltar helhjärtat i arbetet med« (party programme ↗)“We want Sweden to be a country that participates wholeheartedly in working with”
- voice for human rights»en stadig röst i världen som talar för mänskliga rättigheter, fred och« (party programme ↗)“a steady voice in the world that speaks for human rights, peace and”
- peace and justice»Vänsterpartiet anser att Sverige ska vara en röst för fred och rättvisa, inte för ökad militarisering.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Left Party believes that Sweden should be a voice for peace and justice, not for increased militarization.”
- refuge from war»fristad undan krig och förtryck.« (party programme ↗)“refuge from war and oppression.”
The party programme establishes that every person's right to life in freedom and security must always be defended, that the world community must be able to react to serious threats to population groups and that Sweden shall offer a safe haven to people fleeing violence.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme establishes that every person's right to life in freedom and security must always be defended, that the world community must be able to react to serious threats to population groups and that Sweden shall offer a safe haven to people fleeing violence. To receive seriously ill patients in acute care need is a concrete expression of international solidarity. The measure itself is not addressed in the documents.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet slår fast att enskilda människors rätt till liv i frihet och säkerhet alltid måste försvaras, att världssamfundet måste kunna reagera vid allvarliga hot mot befolkningsgrupper och att Sverige ska erbjuda en trygg fristad åt människor som flyr våld. Att ta emot svårt sjuka patienter i akut vårdbehov är ett konkret uttryck för den internationella solidariteten. Åtgärden som sådan behandlas inte i dokumenten.
- rätten till liv försvarasdecisive»människors rätt till liv i frihet och säkerhet måste alltid försvaras.« (party programme ↗)“people's right to life in freedom and security must always be defended.”
- reagera vid hot mot civila»kunna reagera vid allvarliga hot mot befolkningsgrupper« (party programme ↗)“be able to react to serious threats to population groups”
- trygg fristad»Sverige ska erbjuda en trygg fristad åt människor som tvingas fly från förföljelse och våld.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall offer a safe haven to people forced to flee persecution and violence.”
- mänskliga rättigheter globalt»Vi kommer att fortsätta arbetet för att öka respekten för de mänskliga rättigheterna, demokratin och en regelbaserad världsordning och global säkerhet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We will continue working to increase respect for human rights, democracy and a rules-based world order and global security.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan is based on solidarity with all people in the world and that Sweden shall be a refuge from persecution, torture and war and provide a place for those who need protection.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan is based on solidarity with all people in the world and that Sweden shall be a refuge from persecution, torture and war and provide a place for those who need protection. Taking in patients in acute need of care from a war-affected area is an application of that solidarity. The plan does not address the question explicitly, so the position is derived from these principles.
Original (Swedish)
Planen bygger på solidaritet med världens alla människor och på att Sverige ska vara en fristad från förföljelse, tortyr och krig samt ge plats åt dem som behöver skydd. Att ta emot patienter i akut behov av vård från ett krigsdrabbat område är en tillämpning av den solidariteten. Planen behandlar inte frågan uttryckligen, så ställningstagandet är härlett ur dessa principer.
- global solidaritydecisive»solidaritet med världens alla människor« (2022 manifesto ↗)“solidarity with all people in the world”
- Sweden as a refuge»Sverige ska vara en fristad från förföljelse, tortyr« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall be a refuge from persecution, torture”
- place for those in need of protection»Vi ger plats åt dem som behöver skydd.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We provide a place for those who need protection.”
The plan says nothing about receiving patients from a conflict for care in Sweden.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan says nothing about receiving patients from a conflict for care in Sweden. The closest principle is that the protection of human rights is the responsibility of the entire world and that the party takes a generous and humane stance towards people fleeing. Based on that principle, the demand is supported, but the basis is weak.
Original (Swedish)
Planen säger ingenting om att ta emot patienter från en konflikt för vård i Sverige. Närmast liggande princip är att skyddet av mänskliga rättigheter är hela världens ansvar och att partiet står för en generös och human hållning gentemot människor på flykt. Utifrån den principen stöds kravet, men underlaget är svagt.
- global responsibility for rightsdecisive»Fred, skyddet av mänskliga rättigheter och hållbar utveckling är hela världens ansvar.« (party programme ↗)“Peace, the protection of human rights and sustainable development are the responsibility of the entire world.”
- generous and humane stance»Centerpartiet strävar efter öppna gränser, fri rörlighet samt en generös och human flykting- och invandringspolitik.« (party programme ↗)“The Center Party strives for open borders, free movement and a generous and humane asylum and immigration policy.”
- aid and cooperation»Samarbetsorganisationer som FN och EU, handelsavtal och bistånd, kan knyta länder närmare varandra« (party programme ↗)“Collaborative organisations such as the UN and EU, trade agreements and aid can bring countries closer together”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan establishes that the work for every person's right to good opportunities in life does not stop at the country's borders and that people fleeing war and persecution shall receive protection.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that the work for every person's right to good opportunities in life does not stop at the country's borders and that people fleeing war and persecution shall receive protection. Taking in seriously ill patients in acute care need is in line with that, as is the need for international crisis management efforts. The plan does not address medical evacuation, so certainty is low.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att arbetet för varje människas rätt till goda livschanser inte stannar vid landets gränser och att människor som flyr krig och förföljelse ska få skydd. Att ta emot svårt sjuka patienter i akut vårdbehov ligger i den linjen, liksom behovet av internationella krishanteringsinsatser. Planen behandlar inte medicinsk evakuering, varför säkerheten är låg.
- solidarity across bordersdecisive»Arbetet för varje människas rätt till goda livschanser stannar inte vid det egna landets gränser.« (party programme ↗)“The work for every person's right to good opportunities in life does not stop at the country's borders.”
- protection for those fleeing war»Människor som flyr krig och förföljelse ska få skydd.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“People fleeing war and persecution shall receive protection.”
- international crisis management»Det finns ett stort behov av internationella kris- och konflikthanteringsförmågor.« (party programme ↗)“There is a great need for international crisis and conflict management capacities.”
- aid in a troubled world»Biståndet spelar en viktig roll i en orolig värld.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Aid plays an important role in a troubled world.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan establishes that refugees and the most vulnerable in conflicts have the right to help and protection and that human dignity is universal and cannot be limited by geographical boundaries.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that refugees and the most vulnerable in conflicts have the right to help and protection and that human dignity is universal and cannot be limited by geographical boundaries. To receive patients in acute care need is a direct application of this. The plan highlights humanitarian aid as a central part of international responsibility-taking.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att flyktingar och de mest utsatta i konflikter har rätt till hjälp och skydd och att människovärdet är universellt och inte kan begränsas av geografiska gränser. Att ta emot patienter i akut vårdbehov är en direkt tillämpning av det. Planen lyfter det humanitära biståndet som en central del av det internationella ansvarstagandet.
- vulnerable in conflicts have right to helpdecisive»har rätt till hjälp och skydd.« (party programme ↗)“have the right to help and protection”
- universal human dignity»Människovärdet är universellt och kan« (party programme ↗)“Human dignity is universal and can”
- humanitarian aid at disasters»Det humanitära biståndet är en viktig del av det internationella biståndet. Det är framför allt vid katastrofer« (party programme ↗)“Humanitarian aid is an important part of international aid. It is above all at disasters”
- international responsibility-taking»INTERNATIONELLT ANSVARSTAGANDE« (2022 manifesto ↗)“INTERNATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY-TAKING”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The counter-proposal requires that Sweden receives severely ill patients from Gaza for care here.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The counter-proposal requires that Sweden receives severely ill patients from Gaza for care here. The plan's line is that aid shall be given through increased humanitarian assistance focused where it does the most good, while Swedish healthcare at the same time is described as strained by queues where four out of ten patients wait longer than the care guarantee. Based on this, the plan rejects the requirement.
Original (Swedish)
Motförslaget kräver att Sverige tar emot svårt sjuka patienter från Gaza för vård här. Planens linje är att hjälpen ska ges genom ett ökat humanitärt bistånd som fokuseras dit det gör störst nytta, medan svensk sjukvård samtidigt beskrivs som pressad av köer där fyra av tio patienter väntar längre än vårdgarantin. Härlett ur detta avvisar planen kravet.
- aid through humanitarian assistancedecisive»Öka andelen humanitärt bistånd i den svenska biståndsbudgeten« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Increase the share of humanitarian aid in the Swedish development aid budget”
- aid where it does the most good»Fokusera det svenska biståndet till de länder, organisationer och tematiska områden där det gör störst nytta« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Focus Swedish aid to the countries, organisations and thematic areas where it does the most good”
- care queues first»Fyra av tio patienter tvingas vänta längre på vård än vad den lagstadgade vårdgarantin utlovar.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Four out of ten patients are forced to wait longer for care than the statutory care guarantee promises.”
The plan establishes that refugee assistance and relief for crisis-affected countries shall be handled in the neighbouring region first and that aid shall be focused on humanitarian disaster aid.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that refugee assistance and relief for crisis-affected countries shall be handled in the neighbouring region first and that aid shall be focused on humanitarian disaster aid. It also wants to raise the threshold for non-citizens' access to tax-financed welfare and prioritize shortening Swedish healthcare queues. Taking in patients from Gaza for care in Sweden conflicts with these commitments.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att flyktinghjälp och avlastning av krisdrabbade länder i första hand ska hanteras i närområdet och att biståndet ska fokuseras till humanitärt katastrofbistånd. Den vill dessutom höja tröskeln för icke-medborgares tillgång till skattefinansierad välfärd och prioritera att korta de svenska vårdköerna. Att ta emot patienter från Gaza för vård i Sverige strider mot dessa åtaganden.
- assistance in the neighbouring regiondecisive»Flyktinghjälp och avlastning av krisdrabbade länder ska i första hand hanteras i närområdet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Refugee assistance and relief for crisis-affected countries shall be handled in the neighbouring region first.”
- raised threshold to welfare»Skärpa villkoren för medborgarskap och höja tröskeln för att ta del av skattefinansierad välfärd« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Tighten the conditions for citizenship and raise the threshold for accessing tax-financed welfare”
- disaster aid on site»Fokusera biståndet till humanitärt katastrofbistånd« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Focus aid on humanitarian disaster aid”
- shorten Swedish healthcare queues»Avskaffa vårdköerna och införa en riktig vårdgaranti« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Abolish healthcare queues and introduce a true care guarantee”
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2024/25:SoU22)
- Committee report full text (HC01SoU22)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2024/25:1066 — Vård i rättan tid av Gudrun Brunegård (KD)
- Motion 2024/25:1100 — En sömlös vård av Helena Storckenfeldt och Lars Püss (båda M)
- Motion 2024/25:1243 — Begränsning av bemanningsföretag inom vården av Jonathan Svensson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2024/25:1278 — Föräldrars möjlighet att å barnets vägnar hålla kontakt med vården och apotek av Mikael Oscarsson (KD)
- Motion 2024/25:1326 — Stärkt samarbete och kompetens vid sjukskrivning av Märta Stenevi m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2024/25:1359 — En jämlik diabetesvård i hela landet av Carina Ståhl Herrstedt m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1360 — En kvalitativ cancervård i framkant av Carina Ståhl Herrstedt m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1362 — En stärkt psykisk hälsa i hela landet av Carina Ståhl Herrstedt m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1363 — En tillgänglig sjukvård i världsklass av Carina Ståhl Herrstedt m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1364 — Folkhälsan i fokus av Carina Ståhl Herrstedt m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1412 — Jämställdhet och diskriminering av Michael Rubbestad m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1413 — Krafttag mot hedersrelaterat våld och förtryck av Sara Gille m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1621 — Osteopati av Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist (C)
- Motion 2024/25:188 — Föräldrars tillgång till sina barns journaler av Catarina Deremar (C)
- Motion 2024/25:1922 — En funktionsrättspolitik för trygghet och delaktighet av Nadja Awad m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2024/25:1923 — En bättre hälso- och sjukvård av Nooshi Dadgostar m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2024/25:1951 — En patientsäkerhetslag på patientens sida av Margareta Cederfelt (M)
- Motion 2024/25:1965 — En patientsäkerhetslag på patientens sida av Margareta Cederfelt (M)
- Motion 2024/25:2017 — Föräldraansvar vid vårdkontakt för 13-åringar av Ludvig Ceimertz och Caroline Högström (båda M)
- Motion 2024/25:2116 — Prövning av förbud mot planerad sjukvård till personer som befinner sig illegalt i Sverige av Lars Beckman (M)
Source: The Swedish Parliament