AOK does not send any organ donation cards

Because of the organ donation scandal the AOK health insurance companies stop the dispatch of information material

10/09/2012

Due to the organ donation scandal, the general local health insurance funds (AOK) have rejected the plan to inform their approximately 24 million health insured persons at regular intervals about the organ donation. According to the AOK board, people are too irritated because of the organ donation scandal at clinics.

The AOK draws a first consequence from the organ donation scandal that became public a few weeks ago. Opposite the „Berlin newspaper“ confirmed the chairman of the board of the AOK Federal Association, Jürgen Graalmann, corresponding media reports. The head of the AOK told the newspaper: "The AOK will initially not send its insured persons any individual informational material or organ donor passes".

Uncertainties and irritations after the scandal
The scandal has led to great insecurity and irritation among the people. Doctors had manipulated records in clinics, prompting some patients to get a better position on the organ donation waiting list. They were then operated faster than others. For this reason „We urgently need clarification of the allegations, more transparency in the organ donation process and strict control“, warned Graalmann. At these points, work must be intensified.

The AOK chairman left open whether the funds in the AOK network will send the information letters, if in all likelihood the new transplantation law will be implemented in November. The law was passed in the Cabinet only in the summer and will now be presented to the Bundestag for voting. For example, the bill provides that „The insured persons should regularly receive information material about the organ donation as well as an organ donor card“. In addition, the funds are to query the organ donation willingness of the insured. However, the AOK demands one „comprehensive education“ the opaque trade in organs before further action is taken.

So far, it has not been conclusively clarified how manipulation of clinics can be prevented in the future. The different models for this are still controversial. (Sb)

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Picture: Günther Richter