Federal government wants to save on healthcare

Billions should be saved in the health sector: Around three billion euros are to be saved at doctors, hospitals, health insurance companies and pharmacies. Minister of Health open to the medical doctors for clear rounds.

(15.05.2010)The federal government plans to save about three billion euros in health care for next year. According to the spokesman for health policy of the CDU, Jens Spahn, the savings should be made primarily in the areas of hospitals, health insurance companies and pharmacies. Together with the newly developed drug savings package could be saved around five billion euros in health care. Concrete plans are not yet available. Critics point out that most likely by the planned head lump sum further costs to the detriment of the health insurance are saved. It is to be feared that the statutory health insurance funds will in future only offer a basic service. Additional services would then have to be insured additionally.

For the current year, a health insurance deficit of about 3.1 billion euros is expected. For the coming year, the deficit should even amount to 15 billion euros if no austerity measures take place. Other options for saving are also being explored by Health Minister Philipp Rösler (FDP). Rösler is open to clinic doctors over a clear round, according to a spokesman for the Ministry of Health. (Sb)

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