Club leader Shetty's Statement: "Record information digitally instead of manually with patients"
Take a Gander at These Austrian Healthcare Updates
Get ready to dive into the latest happenings in the Austrian healthcare sector, my friend! Let's start with the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (AHF) facing a whopping deficit of €900 million and planning to tackle this issue by introducing a deductible for ambulance transports.
Yannick Shetty, the NEOS club chairman, isn't too thrilled with this approach, stating during a recent interview on O1 that, while the government doesn't have direct control over social insurance, he'd rather see savings within the system instead of at the expense of patients.
Austrian Healthcare Savings Plan: Here's What's Cooking
The AHF's cost-cutting measures don't stop at ambulance transports. What about those medical examinations and staffing levels? You've got questions, and we've got answers:
- Tightening reins on exams: Expect stricter approval processes for medical procedures like MRIs and CT scans.
- Staffing adjustments: Don't expect quick funding for new healthcare positions if they become vacant—part of the cost-cutting strategy is not filling open roles.
- Medical transports: Prepare for reduced services in this area, as critics argue that cuts will disproportionately impact older patients.
- Collaborative financing: The AHF is working with federal states to share costs for specialized care like diabetes and pain management centers.
NEOS: "Deeper Reforms" Required
Shetty defended the government's pension reform, stating that it's the most extensive in the past 20 years. But the NEOS would have gone even further in pushing for more reforms given the chance.
If the planned reforms prove insufficient, Shetty's team has set a "sustainability mechanism" as an "anchor" to force future governments to take further steps if necessary. They aim to introduce this as a simple law in the autumn, and they're prepared to forge ahead without FPÖ and Greens' approval if needed.
Shetty doubts that future governments would simply abolish the sustainability mechanism, noting that they'd still face the same budgetary challenges due to demographics.
NEOS Support Care Worker Inclusion in Heavy Work Regulation
Shetty voiced support for including care workers in the heavy work regulation, a move that social democrats have championed. Social Minister Korinna Schumann (SPO) must now propose a plan for implementation.
While other professional groups express similar desires, the NEOS have yet to be contacted about any potential expansion to include these groups in the heavy work regulation. If the Minister invites them to negotiate on the issue, the NEOS look forward to constructive conversations.
ÖVP Club Chairman Woeginger: FPÖ is Stirring Up Trouble
In regards to party funding, Shetty admitted that, if NEOS had control, they would have pushed for deeper cuts. However, as part of negotiations with ÖVP and SPÖ, this was not achievable. The suspension of the valorization is a "first step," according to Shetty.
If the NEOS were in charge, party funding would decrease significantly. But remember, folks, keep your faces glued to the news if you want to stay in the loop on the ever-changing landscape of Austrian healthcare and pension reforms!
- The Austrian Health Insurance Fund (AHF) is implementing cost-cutting measures beyond ambulance transports, with stricter approval processes for medical procedures such as MRIs and CT scans on the table.
- The AHF is also planning to adjust staffing levels, and new healthcare positions may not be filled if they become vacant.
- Alternatively, reduced services in the medical transport sector could be a part of the cost-cutting strategy, potentially impacting older patients disproportionally.
- The AHF is collaborating with federal states to share costs for specialized care like diabetes and pain management centers.
- Yannick Shetty, NEOS club chairman, has defended the government's pension reform but advocated for deeper reforms, specifically a "sustainability mechanism" designed to force future governments to address budgetary challenges due to demographics.
- In another health-related matter, Shetty supports the inclusion of care workers in the heavy work regulation, a move that requires Social Minister Korinna Schumann (SPO) to propose a plan for implementation.
