Even after the Corona crisis, there are still many construction sites in the healthcare sector. The minister now wants to target the economic constraints on treatments. He rejects a controversial project.
Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has confirmed the move away from too much financial pressure in patient care. “The economy must not dominate medicine,” said the SPD politician at the opening of the German Doctors’ Conference in Essen.
In some areas, the arc was overstretched, he explained, for example with a view to the remuneration of the clinics, the conditions for drug deliveries or the participation of financial investors in medical care centers. Therefore, it should be counteracted by law. Medical President Klaus Reinhardt called for improvements in digitization and for the practices.
Cancellation of “Entrance fees for patients”
Lauterbach again clearly rejected calls for a fee for visits to emergency rooms in the clinics. Taking “entrance fees for patients” will not be part of a planned reform. Problems with directing patients to the appropriate facility could not be solved on the backs of the poorest. Among other things, the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians had brought up such a fee if patients go to overloaded emergency rooms without first calling the control center.
In view of the shortage of skilled workers, the minister advocated increasing the number of medical study places by 5,000 per year. Poaching doctors and nurses from other, mostly poorer countries is unethical. “We have to train this staff ourselves,” he said.
Medical President Reinhardt called for more reliability in digitization. “Doctors are of good will and open to digital applications.” However, many are still frustrated because the technology is not stable. For the planned widespread introduction of electronic patient files, patients’ trust in the responsible handling of their data must be ensured. By the end of 2024, all those with statutory health insurance should automatically receive an e-file – unless you actively refuse it. So far, you have to actively consent if you want one.
Reinhardt also called for fundamental financial stabilization of statutory health insurance. Among other things, parts of the profit tax on tobacco and alcohol could be used as a health levy for a specific purpose. He accused Lauterbach of the lack of involvement of health stakeholders in political projects and “absurd” procedures in legislative deliberations – for example in the case of a draft of the Infection Protection Act sent out at 1.08 a.m. with a deadline for comments by 10 a.m. on the same day. Such a “pro forma participation” is a danger to democracy.
Medical President: “Strengthen the practices”
Reinhardt also criticized the way the practices of the resident doctors were handled. Instead of acknowledging their commitment with a bonus for medical assistants, the red pen is applied. “Strengthen the practices,” he demanded. In view of the aging society and climate change, he also called for more comprehensive health protection for the population.
Urban planning, consumer protection and agricultural, labor and social policy would also have to get involved. Medical tasks also included health-related heat protection, the commitment to clean air and against harmful chemicals in everyday products.
During the four-day meeting, the 250 delegates will also re-elect the leadership of the medical profession. President Reinhardt (62), who has been in office since 2019, is up again. The chairwoman of the Marburg Association of Doctors, Susanne Johna (57), is running against him. She would be the first woman to head the German Medical Association, which represents 550,000 doctors. The elections are scheduled for this Thursday.
The German Foundation for Patient Protection criticized the declining willingness of many doctors to make house calls. “A decline of more than 25 percent in just ten years is alarming,” said board member Eugen Brysch of the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”. To make matters worse, almost 80 percent of home visits are made to people over the age of 75. “The often pre-ill and immobile people often lack the strength to visit the practice,” said Brysch.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
