Medical Facilities - States call for adjustments in hospital overhaul plan.
The states are persisting in their push for adjustments to the impending hospital reform. "We're looking for a reform that's more focused on practice. We haven't seen that yet," remarked the chairwoman of the Health Ministers' Conference, Kerstin von der Decken (CDU) from Schleswig-Holstein, on Wednesday after more talks with Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) in Berlin. The states are constructively advocating for their combined demands to be considered during the parliamentary process. They believe that cooperation opportunities and requirements should be made more flexible in order to prevent the closure of essential clinics.
The proposed legislative initiatives from the federal cabinet aim to relieve financial strain on clinics and establish uniform quality regulations by modifying lump sum penalties for treatment instances. Under the new system, clinics would receive 60% of the penalty for providing specific services. The funding source through insurance companies should be more clearly defined as "performance groups" and must also establish minimum criteria.
Lauterbach has structured the legislation in such a way that it no longer requires Bundesrat approval. On the other hand, the Council of Ministers might delay the process. The law is slated to take effect in 2025, with implementation to occur in the years that follow.
The states also shared concerns regarding the new federal government comparison portal for clinic offers. "Rather than the promised transparency, we now have uniform responses from all parties involved that the previous portal - despite an update - is faulty," von der Decken said. She mentioned instances of old and therefore no longer informative data. The states have petitioned the federal government to fix the issues as soon as possible to protect patients from misinformation.
The "Federal Clinic Atlas", rolled out in mid-May, is intended to provide details on services and treatment quality at the approximately 1700 hospitals. This is done by presenting the number of instances handled for each treatment and the staffing levels on a digital speedometer. The portal had already been updated after a week to update the information.
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- Despite calls for adjustments from the states, Germany's SPD-led federal government, under Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, continues to push forward with its hospital reform plans.
- The SPD's reform proposals, aimed at alleviating financial strain on clinics and establishing uniform quality regulations, will impact hospitals across Germany, including in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, headed by CDU's Kerstin von der Decken.
- The reorganization of German hospitals involves modifying lump sum penalties and establishing performance groups, with insurance companies providing the funding source and setting minimum criteria.
- In Berlin, discussions between Lauterbach and von der Decken highlighted concerns about the federal government's clinic comparison portal, which states argue is currently plagued with inaccuracies and misinformation, potentially harming patients.
- The SPD's hospital reform plan also includes a "Federal Clinic Atlas," intended to boost transparency by providing details on services and treatment quality at around 1700 hospitals, although concerns about the portal's accuracy persist.
- The CDU's von der Decken, along with other state leaders, is advocating for rapid repairs to the clinic comparison portal to prevent misinformation and ensure the well-being of patients in both Berlin and Schleswig-Holstein.
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