Bayern More money for doctors and clinics

Bavarian Minister of Health wants more money for doctors, pharmacists and clinics

09/20/2012

The Bavarian Minister of Health Marcel Huber (CSU) demands more money for outpatient doctors, hospitals and pharmacists. This is supposed to be financed by the contributors to the statutory health insurance funds, although all three groups in the health care system will receive much higher fees as early as 2013.

Bavaria's CSU Health Minister Marcel Huber has now joined in the honorary dispute of the doctors. Given the billions in cash surpluses, physicians should benefit from higher fees. Even pharmacists and clinics should get something from the billion-cake. In the course of the debate, the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds made it clear that the surpluses must be kept for the future to avoid premium increases.

The Federal Minister of Health Daniel Bahr (FDP) calls, however, to purchase the practice fees. These would not fulfill their actual purpose of providing for fewer visits to the doctor. The surpluses should therefore be used to abolish the quarterly fees. However, Huber rejects the proposals from the FDP minister or even reduced contribution rates. This is primarily „election gifts“. Rather, it must be about ensuring high-quality health care, as Huber told the Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ). "For this we have to strengthen hospitals, doctors and pharmacists, especially in rural areas."

All three pillars of the health care system should, according to Huber, receive between € 800 million and € 1 billion annually. The Bavarian Minister of Health had already submitted an application in the Bundesrat at the end of July according to which the clinics should receive more money from the health insurance funds.

Choice gifts for clinics and medical profession
In about a year are state elections in Bavaria. With the new demands, Huber adopted the catalog of demands of physicians, pharmacists and hospital companies. Irrespective of this, spending on statutory health insurance for outpatient and inpatient health care will increase significantly next year. Spending on drugs will also be renegotiated. Again, another expenditure-plus is expected.

Although the talks between the medical profession and the health insurances are currently on hold, they will certainly continue before the extended evaluation committee. This is only about the exact sum. It is clear that the doctors and psychotherapists can go out in any case of fee increases. In addition, the hospital expenses will be passed by the July of this year „Psych-wage law“ increase. Within the law, for example, the redemption rate has been reduced. This will give clinics much more revenue. From 2012, the pharmacists will receive an increase in fees, for which the health insurances will have to pay an additional 190 million euros per year. In addition, the black-yellow federal government wants to raise the fees for emergency services. Here, too, are to be reckoned with further overspending of the coffers. (Sb)

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