Updates

The well-being services counties are responsible for organizing health and social services for their population. The counties get their funding from the state budget, which has increased the role of financial steering in the governance of the service system. In late December 2024, a new regulation on proactive financial steering of wellbeing services counties was enacted by amending the Wellbeing Services Counties Act. The amendment introduced a discretionary procedure on proactive financial steering of well-being services counties to address situations where a well-being services county was facing serious financial risks. The Ministry of Finance could initiate this process based on, for instance, financial indicators. The procedure would include collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Ministry of the Interior. During the negotiations with the county, a comprehensive review of the county’s situation would be conducted and financial stabilization recommendations provided to ensure the sufficient provision of services. The recommendations would not be binding for the county.