Policy on housing and healthcare issues, democratic awakening, and issues of common funds

At the Socialist Congress (Sósíalistaþing), a policy was presented in four areas which had been formulated by randomly selected groups of members; housing issues, healthcare issues, democratic issues, and issues of public funds. Members of the groups discussed the issues, listened to experts and people who shared their experiences with the respective systems, and agreed on policy objectives. The outcome was submitted to the Socialist Congress, which adopted the policy:

Housing Issues: The policy of the Socialist Party of Iceland (Sósíalistaflokkur Íslands) is …

that housing security be ensured throughout the country. Secure housing is a fundamental prerequisite for welfare.
that a long-term housing policy and a new housing system be adopted that takes into account the diverse needs of different social groups. Work on their formulation should begin immediately.
that a modern workers' housing system be established, cooperative societies for housing construction and their operation, as well as non-profit public rental companies.
that tenants' rights be ensured and a stable rental market be promoted with long-term rental agreements and rules on rent caps.
that students in university or vocational studies be guaranteed housing in student dormitories.
that all municipalities be obliged to ensure a minimum number of social housing units based on population, in addition to addressing acute needs.
that building regulations be amended in accordance with new and diverse housing forms (cooperative housing, tiny houses, and new implementations of housing forms).

Healthcare Issues: The policy of the Socialist Party of Iceland is …

that in Iceland, free healthcare services be operated by citizens' tax money.
that all marketization in healthcare services be opposed and the service be balanced based on needs analysis.
that systematic work be done to strengthen primary healthcare.
that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities be adopted.
that user-controlled personal assistance (NPA) be used effectively in services for disabled people.
that the United Nations report on mental health (June 2017) be respected.
that work be carried out according to long-term objectives in healthcare services and funding for healthcare issues and the operation of Landspítali University Hospital be in line with the requirements for modern healthcare services.
that pharmaceutical costs be fully subsidized and a public pharmacy be established, with strong quality control and the best available medicines.
that prevention and public health be strengthened and promoted by the state providing these services.
that the office of a patient ombudsman be established.
that the psychiatric division of Landspítali University Hospital, as well as the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Department, be strengthened and be able to provide normal emergency services.
that rehabilitation always be available for chronically ill individuals who wish to improve their health and living conditions.
that appropriate services be guaranteed for the elderly, whether through home nursing, a place in a nursing home, or a medical institution.
that primary healthcare and hospital services in rural areas be strengthened and the hospital beds, equipment, and facilities available there be utilized as much as possible, and that telemedicine be strengthened.
that the working environment of healthcare professionals be improved and teamwork be strengthened.
that the foundation of welfare and health also be ensured through other necessary environmental factors such as a fair and good housing system, education system, working life, and wage policy, as well as a social security system.

Democratic Issues: The policy of the Socialist Party of Iceland is …

that equality is the cornerstone of democracy.
that a fair electoral system be ensured with equal weight of votes regardless of residence.
that the results of national referendums always be respected.
that a new constitution take effect as soon as possible.
that democratic issues be part of basic education.
that public access to reliable and accurate information be ensured.
that trade unions and pension funds be democratized.
that the operational basis of strong organizations serving public interests, such as consumer organizations of any kind, be ensured.
that natural resources always remain the property of the nation.
that workplaces and company management be democratized.

Common Funds: The policy of the Socialist Party of Iceland is …

that the disparate systems of benefits and pensions be merged into one general insurance system to ensure a decent life for everyone.
that the insurance system be simplified.
that study grants replace loans.
that tax investigations and public oversight of the financial system be strengthened and increasingly directed towards financially strong entities and large corporations.
that the tax system be used as an equalization tool.
that families with children be better supported with higher child benefits.
that fees for public basic services be abolished. The profits from resources will be nationalized.