The German Confederation of Trade Unions (DGB) has said that the latest reform proposals from the Health Finance Commission are unsuitable. “The reform proposals are not logically consistent or homogeneous” said DGB chair Yasmin Fahimi to the “Tagesspiegel”.
Fahimi pointed out that the 66 concrete recommendations reflect a wide range of viewpoints and leave it unclear whether the federal government simply wants to cut services or implement genuine structural changes. She stressed that for fundamental reforms the government must be prepared to confront lobby groups.
According to Fahimi, the biggest savings potential lies in healthcare, but much less in nursing. “We have an aging society, which is why I see little room for savings in nursing” she added.
In the health sector, private equity firms are seen as a drain on the wallets of all statutory insured persons. These companies acquire not only hospitals but also increasingly take over doctors’ practices. In such practices, doctors are employed by “bill‑millionaire” corporations, and the billing average is about ten percent higher per patient than for independent practitioners. Fahimi asked how this could be justified.
She urged Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) to set clear limits for profit‑oriented providers in healthcare. “The government must impose strict limits on profit‑making companies in the health sector” Fahimi said. “I expect Ms. Warken to finally act against these globally operating corporations”.
In the medium term, Fahimi says care should be built as a purely non‑profit system. She does not consider the fact that Germans visit a doctor roughly nine times a year to be excessive. “They do it not as a leisure activity” she remarked.
The DGB chair called for the expansion of integrated structures. “Germany should consistently develop health centers that bring together various specialists. Care from a single source helps patients and simultaneously reduces costs” she urged.