Breaking the Myth of Universality in National Health Care Systems: Undocumented Immigrants and Asylum Seekers’ Health Care Access in Spain and Sweden, 2011-2015
Breaking the Myth of Universality in National Health Care Systems: Undocumented Immigrants and Asylum Seekers’ Health Care Access in Spain and Sweden, 2011-2015

Author(s): Daniela Cepeda Cuadrado, Camila Rodrigues Vieira
Subject(s): Geography, Regional studies, Sociology, Welfare systems, Health and medicine and law, Present Times (2010 - today), Migration Studies
Published by: Transnational Press London
Keywords: asylum seekers; health care access; integration; migrant health policies; undocumented immigrants;
Summary/Abstract: Between 2011 and 2015, the Spanish and Swedish national health care systems did not grant comprehensive health care access to asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants. In these systems, regional health authorities were liable for the management and provision of health care, as they were better prepared to respond to the health needs of local communities. However, decentralization did not foment universal access. In Spain and Sweden, regions responded differently to the provision of health care access for these immigrant groups. Whereas Madrid and Västra Götaland followed the restrictive national guidelines on health care access for these targeted groups, Catalonia and Stockholm made efforts, although insufficient, to provide better assistance to their health care needs. Thus, Spain and Sweden failed to fulfill international and European legal obligations on health for immigrants. To guarantee health care access for asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants, better coordination between national and regional health authorities is essential. The application of Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) tools can serve this purpose.

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