The Comorbidity Inquiry concluded in 2023 that people with both mental illness and substance abuse problems should receive care for both needs at the same time. However, all too often this does not happen, according to Forssmed.
This is about one of society's most vulnerable groups being able to turn to the region to get help with their psychiatric condition, for example. Then they said no, you should turn to the municipality to get help with your addiction. And the municipality has said no, you have a psychiatric condition so you should turn to the region.
"Unworthy"
According to Forssmed, the result has been that many people do not receive help at all.
We have had an undignified treatment of people who are among society's most vulnerable.
The government is now presenting a number of proposals that will be submitted in a referral to the Council on Legislation. This concerns both a new law and several legislative amendments.
Broadly speaking, it is about implementing what the Comorbidity Inquiry envisioned, says Forssmed.
Regional responsibility
The aim is, among other things, to make healthcare more coordinated, so that people do not fall through the cracks. Responsibility should lie with the regions, and thus the aim is to put an end to people being shuttled back and forth between regions and municipalities.
The region will be responsible for all care and treatment of these people, while the municipalities will be responsible for support measures such as housing and employment, says Jakob Forssmed.
The proposals also introduce a legal requirement for municipalities and regions to coordinate care and support for the most vulnerable people in the group. This is an estimated 50–60,000 people, according to the government's assessment.
The legislative amendments are proposed to enter into force on July 1, 2027.
