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Health insurance funds fear higher expenditure through new integration law
The statutory health insurance companies in Germany have warned against possible overspending by the planned integration law of the black-red coalition. Especially the additional costs for interpreters are feared. However, most refugees are healthier than expected.
Overspending due to planned integration law
According to a report by the AFP news agency, the statutory health insurance funds in Germany have warned against overspending due to the planned integration law for refugees. According to a pre-announcement on Saturday, the head of the AOK-Bundesverband, Martin Litsch, told the "Spiegel": "We estimate that this will lead to over 120 million euros per year in the area of statutory health insurance alone."
The statutory health insurance companies warn of possible additional expenditure by the planned integration law for refugees. Especially costs for interpreters are feared. (Image: dessauer / fotolia.com) Entitled to a paid interpreter
It is reported that the law makes it clear that migrants are entitled to a paid interpreter during their first three years of visiting the country, including doctor's or hospital appointments. Since integration was a task for society as a whole, Litsch demanded taxpayers' money from the federal budget. "If the statutory health insurance should go in advance, at least the federal subsidy must be raised accordingly," said the head of the AOK.
Law should improve integration into the labor market
According to the information provided by the Federal Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Interior, the law on integration should, among other things, improve the integration of refugees into the education and employment market. The draft is currently in the departmental poll. Asylum seekers are insured, according to a Reuters report at the latest after 15 months on the statutory health insurance, the costs are borne by the state. Before that they are entitled to a basic service.
Many refugees are traumatized
Even if some right-wing regulars can not be prevented from rushing over refugees and conjuring up dangers, experts from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) have long since made it clear that there is no health risk from refugees. Rather, asylum seekers are a vulnerable group, as one from which poses a danger to others. Responsible authorities have reported in recent months that refugees are generally healthier than previously expected. However, many of them reach Germany traumatized. Since almost always translators are necessary for psychotherapies with refugees, the Federal Psychotherapeutic Chamber (BPtK) had already months ago proposed to change the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act so that all refugees are in principle entitled to interpreting services, if they are necessary for a medical treatment. (Ad)