Patient representative without conflict of interest?

Wolfgang Zöller, new patient representative - without conflicts of interest?

The 67-year-oldWolfgang Zoller from Lower Franconia of the CSU is the new patient representative. In terms of content, Zöller has long been familiar with health policy issues. Since joining the Bundestag in 1990, he has been active since 1994 in health-related groups and committees in some leading positions. He is known not only as a health expert, but in the Bundestag also for a vehemently entering his ideas, which is expressed in part by frequent and spectacular interjections.

As a patient representative, Zöller must be committed to the interests of all insured persons. And here a conflict could arise between one's own interests and those of his clients. Because as already „The daily level“ on 16.11. In 2009 Zöller (Roman Catholic) was a staunch anti-abortionist. As he states on his website, he sits down „for the protection of unborn life“ and is a member of „Aktion Lebensrecht für Alle (AlfA)“ - a so-called „Pro-Life“- Organization. These are organizations that work against legality or impunity for abortions, euthanasia, cloning practices and prenatal diagnosis. Here Zöller already spoke in the past „Right to life congresses“ with the motto „Euthanasia: Today your tomorrow us?“ about the topic „right to live?“ in Fulda, as in issue 67 of the club magazine „signs of life“ was read in 2005. Furthermore, the entry of Wolfgang Zöller against the discount agreements has been criticized many times. „The daily level“ writes in the same article that the drug maker Sandoz-Hexal had negative experiences through the discount contracts and is now putting pressure on the CSU.

Furthermore, it is pointed out that the discount agreements would save large sums. Below the article is a commentary signed with the name of the works council chairmen of Hexal AG, Birgit Braito. It states that the discount contracts would cost jobs and damage companies financially.

The task of the patient representative in the Federal Government is to represent the interests of the patients in Germany and to increasingly involve them in political decisions. A statement from the Federal Ministry of Health states that, in particular, it will endeavor to uphold the rights of all patients, regardless of age, gender, race and income, and to guarantee them free, unhindered and timely access to all medical services.

One must wait and document and observe to what extent Zöller acts neutrally for all patients and that he is not guided by his own ideological or individual economic interests in his decisions. (Tf)

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Article of the Tagesspiegel
Website of Wolfgang Zöller
Internet presence of the association Lebensrecht