Irregular migrants challenging policy hierarchies and health professions : the case of Sweden

Abstract

In a European comparative perspective Sweden, though upholding a universal welfare model is one of the most restrictive countries as regards irregular migrants’ right to access health care. They do not access care via the legal framework beyond emergency care upon payment of the full cost. This article presents findings from a study aiming at exploring and elucidating the Swedish policy answers as regards right to access health care for irregular migrants. The current policy is outlined besides a new governmental agreement and standpoints put forward by health and welfare professionals. The analysis suggests that migration policy has primacy over health policy. Further, it suggests, that by claiming that their jurisdiction is independent from the state’s interest of control of migration the hierarchy is renegotiated. The core involves the fundamental norms and principles underpinning the exclusion of irregular migrants from welfare services and their connection to controlled migration.