Hospital reform: AOK warns of unclear episodes and serious defects
Hospital reform: AOK warns of unclear episodes and serious defects
Today is bubbling in Berlin! The 2nd and 3rd reading of the Hospital Supply improvement Act (KHVVVG) is pending - and the discussion about the future of our hospitals becomes more heated than ever! Dr. Carola Reimann, the powerful CEO of the AOK federal association, has spoken out and brings the milestones of the reform to the table!
"This important hospital reform has been discussed for over two years. Everyone can imagine that without this reform the inpatient care in Germany is on the brink. But what the future brings us remains mysterious at many fronts," warns Reimann. And in fact, while we witnesses a hasty revision with 50 new amendments to change, even experts hardly manage to keep an overview. A little more time for thorough advice would certainly not be wrong!
severe criticism of the reform
The AOK sees some bright spots in the KHVVG, but even dark clouds are opening! "The law initially creates a framework for performance group festival and the residual financing," explains Reimann. But the crucial questions, in particular on quality standards, remain on the long bank. "Who ensures structural change when the quality falls by the wayside? We run the risk that financial and structural reform will continue to be decoupled from each other!"
It is particularly gratifying for many that the development of performance groups is now being located at the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA). But is that enough to overcome the massive defects in the law? Reimann says: "Despite this positive turn, the law remains serious defects!"
But what does that mean for the insured? According to the Federal Minister of Health Lauterbach, the reform should reduce the contribution rates in the medium term. However, the legally insured persons should deposit more than 25 billion euros in the transformation fund in a decade! "How can that go together?" Asks the AOK. A fairer financing model would be announced!
the big mess
Another point of criticism: "What is the use of the residual finance by two years if the goals such as mandatory damping and outpatient nation are not achieved?" Countries, hospital representatives and health insurance companies are calling for the number of adherence. Reimann recalls that the state service Budget should only be recalculated every three years. But you don't really want to tackle! So everything remains on the spot.
The regulations for outpatient rating are also inadequate. Cross -sector providers may provide transitional care, but there are no real alternatives to inpatient recordings that could be planned. "We strictly reject the so-called 'forced ordinances' for the expansion of hybrid DRGs! The community of insured persons cannot afford even higher costs in this financial situation!"
The scenario becomes even darker with the expansion of the regulations for specialist clinics. Here there is a risk that the exceptions will become the rule! "Quality is what we wanted to achieve with this reform, but the impending deviations from the performance groups undermine all of our efforts!" Reimann dashes forward. She demands a rethink: "The supply landscape must not deteriorate into an opaque jungle! We need clear, understandable rules!"
The AOK and Dr. Reimann leaves no doubt about her opinion that the path that the KHVVV is taking has absolutely necessary to meet the requirements for a modern health system.