Massive change in medical practices is imminent: consultations on the Lauterbach law begin
Created: 09/23/2022, 11:34 am
By: Caroline Schäfer
Higher contribution payments and problems in finding an appointment?
That could come with the new Lauterbach law.
The deliberations in the Bundestag start today.
Kassel – Whether it’s a neurologist, dermatologist or ophthalmologist – in the future it could become even more difficult for patients to get an appointment in a doctor’s office.
The reason for this is a new law that Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach (SPD) wants to introduce.
The first consultation in the Bundestag is scheduled for Friday (September 23).
The new law is the so-called new patient regulation, which was introduced by predecessor Jens Spahn (CDU).
According to the regulation, doctors are paid a special fee if they accept new patients in their practices.
That should increase the chance of finding an appointment.
However, that could soon be the end of it.
Lauterbach law: Minister of Health wants to reverse new patient regulation
Health Minister Karl Lauterbach now wants to reverse Spahn's advance.
The billion-dollar deficit in the statutory health insurance (GVK) is too large.
Therefore, "with the reform, everyone involved should make a contribution to short-term stabilization," said the Minister of Health.
Long-term structural reforms are also planned, but only from next spring.
A new law by Karl Lauterbach should bring more money for the health insurance companies.
For patients, however, this could increase the waiting time for an appointment.
(symbol photo) © Sina Schuldt/dpa
The repeal of the new patient regulation is part of the so-called GKV Financial Stabilization Act.
Among other things, it is planned to increase the income of the health insurance funds by an additional two billion euros through a subsidy from the federal government.
In addition, the additional contribution of the contributors could increase.
On the other hand, expenditure, for example for medicines, should be curbed.
Lauterbach law: criticism from the Federal Council
There was criticism from the Federal Council.
The new Lauterbach law will lead to "instabilities" in the GKV, said Hesse's Prime Minister Boris Rhein (CDU) last Friday (September 16) in the Bundesrat.
Doctors in private practice would be “distressed” by the austerity measures.
On September 16, the Federal Council submitted a 30-page statement on the Federal Statutory Health Insurance Financial Stabilization Act.
Although "the efforts to set up the financing of the statutory health insurance system in a stable and reliable manner" were welcomed, a structural reform was missed.
The Federal Government is now asked to comment on the Council's position.
However, since the draft law is an objection law, it does not require the approval of the Bundesrat.
Lauterbach's Financial Stabilization Act: "Dramatic Consequences for Supply"
This is what the process will look like in the coming weeks:
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September 23 - First consultation in the Bundestag
28 September - Health Committee hearing
October 20th or 21st – Final deliberation of the Lauterbach law
Medical associations supported the opinion of the Federal Council.
"Where you are closer to the people, you recognize the dramatic consequences for care such a step would have," Klaus Reinhardt, chairman of the Hartmannbund, is quoted as saying by the
Ärzte-Zeitung
.
(cheese)
