Health minister not satisfied with hospital reform
Following the talks between the federal and state governments on hospital reform, Lower Saxony's Health Minister Andreas Philippi (SPD) wants further changes to the draft bill. "This applies in particular to the issue of exemptions. Rigid deadlines must be avoided," explained the minister in a statement on Thursday.
The SPD politician welcomed the fact that outpatient operations of a general medical nature are to be possible at so-called Level 1i hospitals. In Lower Saxony, so-called regional health centers are to fulfill this function. In future, hospitals are to be assigned to care levels for greater transparency.
The reform plans envisage changing the remuneration system for hospitals with its flat rates for treatment cases. This is intended to relieve hospitals of the financial pressure to take on more and more cases. In future, hospitals are to receive 60 percent of their remuneration simply for providing services. The basis for financing by the health insurance funds should also be more precisely defined service groups. They should also ensure uniform quality standards. In the summer, the federal and state governments reached a majority agreement on the main features of a reform. Preparations for a draft bill have been underway for several weeks.
Despite the progress made in hospital reform, the Health Minister expressed concerns about the exemption clauses, urging for flexibility to prevent rigid deadlines. Moreover, the SPD politician is hopeful that regional health centers in Lower Saxony can conduct outpatient surgeries of a general medical nature at Level 1i hospitals, similar to the planned changes for hospitals.
Source: www.dpa.com
