A growing chorus of criticism is targeting the current German coalition government – a partnership between the Social Democrats (SPD) and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) – over proposed revisions to patient access to medical records. The Green Party and consumer protection advocates are accusing the government of significantly undermining patient rights through a planned amendment to contract law governing medical treatment.
The proposed change would remove the requirement for healthcare providers to grant patients immediate access (“unverzüglich”) to their complete medical files. Instead, the amendment would permit providers to extend the timeframe for providing access to up to three months, justified by the complexity of the records and the volume of requests. This deviation from current law, critics argue, represents a “grave deterioration” of established patient protections.
Janosch Dahmen, health policy spokesperson for the Green Party, condemned the move as a “concrete scandal” highlighting the potential for significant hardship for individuals seeking information about their care. Thomas Moormann, health expert for the Federation of Consumer Associations (VZBV), echoed this sentiment, stating that the revision fails to advance transparency or improve the quality of healthcare and, in fact, moves in the opposite direction.
The Green Party is preparing to formally challenge the amendment with a parliamentary motion aimed at reversing the planned change. The motion underscores the critical importance of patient access to medical records as a cornerstone of individual autonomy and informed decision-making. Removing the promptness requirement without establishing clear and accountable guidelines, the motion argues, directly weakens this fundamental right.
Critics emphasize the practical consequences of extended delays. Each day of waiting, they contend, leads to information loss, potential legal disadvantages and increased psychological stress for patients. This is particularly damaging for those seeking second opinions or investigating potential medical errors. The Green Party’s proposed alternative seeks a balance, advocating for access to be granted “immediately (.), but no later than three working days”. The contentious issue is slated for public expert consultation in the Bundestag on Monday, setting the stage for a potentially fraught policy debate.