Nationalizing healthcare, or abolishing politicians in Sweden's 21 regions, has long been one of the Christian Democrats' most important election issues. According to the party, it would make healthcare more equal and efficient.
But no such major reform has been implemented during the Tidö collaboration, even though the SD is on the same track.
Now Health Minister Elisabet Lann is open to settling with S.
"It's a reform that would take time and require broad support. I definitely see the Social Democrats as being needed there."
Turn the regional politicians around
Abolishing regional politicians would anger many, she believes. At the same time, she says it is not justifiable for citizens to pay taxes at a level that does not meet statutory healthcare responsibilities, according to the minister.
"If S could do the internal work, and turn its regional politicians around on the issue, it would be worth an incredible amount. Then we could get this done pretty soon."
However, Lann is clear that she does not want to see S leader Magdalena Andersson as prime minister, but wants to continue governing with the Tidö parties.
KD also ran on shortening healthcare queues, and after four years the result is that the election promise has been fulfilled, according to Lann.
"Yes, we can say that. We have shortened the queues by 36 percent. But I'm not happy with that."
One explanation for shorter queues is that the pandemic debt has been paid off and that the state has governed with performance-based funds, she says.
Many organizations have also worked with smarter and more flexible working methods. Lann mentions the thoracic department at Sahlgrenska, which changed the schedule so that staff do not change during longer operations.
More people seek care abroad
But tens of thousands of patients are still waiting an illegally long time for care in Sweden. More are also seeking care abroad, especially in Denmark. The number receiving compensation from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency for care abroad within the EU/EEA has increased from 1,349 people in 2023 to 3,433 people in 2025.
"It's a failure. It's good that the opportunity exists, but it creates and reinforces an injustice that I think we cannot be indifferent to. It also undermines the principle of care according to need," says Lann.
Private health insurance is also a sign that healthcare has failed, according to the minister. Healthcare queues cannot simply be cut with more money, but a major healthcare reform is needed, she says.
"The solution is not simply to increase government subsidies."
S leader Magdalena Andersson responded to the invitation from KD during the Riksdag's party leadership debate on Wednesday.
"I would be happy to collaborate with Ebba Busch on stable financing of healthcare throughout the country," she said.
Born in February 1977.
Appointed Minister of Health on September 9, 2025.
She is a member of the KD party board and also sits on the party's executive committee.
She has been a municipal councilor in Gothenburg since 2019. Prior to that, she held several different assignments in municipal and regional politics.
In 2013–2014, she worked in the Coordination Office of the Prime Minister's Office in Fredrik Reinfeldt's government. For a period, she also served as a substitute state secretary.
She has a master's degree in Peace and Development and Political Science.
She has been head of Save the Children in the western region.
