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. The aim of this article is to present initial findings from a study exploring the Swedish policy answers as regards right to access health care for irregular migrants residing in the country. Sweden’s policy answers is put in a European comparative perspective as well as discussed with an interest for suggested changes involving access on the same terms as resident and the role of health and welfare professions’ is regard. By claiming that their jurisdiction within health and welfare services is independent from the state’s interest of control of migration a prevailing hierarchical relationship between social policies and those of migration is renegotiated.