Capio's opinion on circulated "Vinst för Vården" ("Profit" for healthcare") report

11/1/2002 3:00 AM EST

Capio's opinion on circulated "Vinst för Vården" ("Profit" for
healthcare") report:
Capio opposes legislation that excludes certain operational formats
Recommends stronger quality assurance and certification of healthcare
providers

Capio AB, in its opinion on the circulated advisory report entitled
"Profit" for healthcare" (SOU 2002:31), welcomes the idea of subjecting
the results and quality of healthcare providers to more stringent
critical examination. Capio recommends stronger centralised supervision
of healthcare, appropriately under the auspices of the National Board of
Health and Welfare, and proposes that a system of compulsory
certification of healthcare providers be developed.

However, Capio opposes the enactment of legislation that excludes
certain forms of ownership from operating emergency hospitals or highly
specialised healthcare units, for example, or which prohibits healthcare
providers from accepting patients regardless of who pays for the care.

"We fully support the fundamental principle of publicly financed
healthcare that is available to everyone and allocated according to
needs on the basis of everyone being considered equal. But this begs the
following question: What is the reason for the major differences in
waiting times and treatment principles in various parts of Sweden? And
why is so little interest being shown in comparative studies of quality
and performance," says Stanley Brodén, Head of Capio Healthcare Nordic.

"Excluding certain players from parts of the healthcare sector, or
providing certain operating formats with competitive benefits in
relation to others, is meaningless if the true aim is to improve and
develop healthcare. The prerequisites for providing good healthcare to
everyone are the existence of a variety of healthcare providers and
healthy competition between them," says Per Båtelson, Capio's Chief
Executive Officer.

In the company's opinion on the report, Capio also recommends - using
the United Kingdom as a role model - that a constructive dialogue be
established between central government, county councils and private
healthcare providers in order to establish mutually productive, long-
term co-operation.

Gothenburg, November 1, 2002
Capio AB (publ)

For further information, please contact:
Ann-Sofi Lodin, Deputy Head, Capio Healthcare Nordic, +46-70-632 11 65
Tomas Philipp, Information Manager, St Göran's Hospital, +46-70-887 75
15, +46-8-5870 2049
Ulrika Stenson, Director, Corporate Communications, Capio AB, +46-70-590
07 23, +46-31-732 4004