The discussion about increasing the fee for mother-child passport examinations, which has been dormant for some time, is becoming increasingly heated. As Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) tries to appease and “soon” present a finished package, the Medical Association’s resident doctors are already preparing for an end to the health measure – it could be over as soon as possible next year .
The mother-child pass, introduced in 1974, is considered a milestone in domestic health care as it has significantly reduced infant and maternal mortality. But the medical world has long been mumbling about compensation for the associated studies.
For almost 30 years, the fee for this has not been appraised (ie adjusted for inflation), the doctors. And in fact, the current rate currently only yields 18.02 euros for a fairly comprehensive examination of a newborn.
Doctors are already preparing for the end
However, the lengthy negotiations between the ministry and the House are proceeding extremely slowly. And the dispute over this is getting worse: if an agreement is not reached quickly, the termination of the mother-child pass at the end of the year will be pronounced as a health insurance benefit. A corresponding decision was made at the Federal Curia meeting on Wednesday.
“We must prepare for this very unfortunate outcome because so far we have only received lip service from politicians,” Edgar Wutscher, head of the Federal Curia for GPs, said in a broadcast on Wednesday.
Rauch criticizes “media pressure”
The Ministry of Health, on the other hand, is trying to calm things down. In a statement on Twitter, Minister Rauch speaks of “rumours” that should not upset expectant parents. One is – without specifying a timeline – in the final stages of the negotiations.
He portrayed the doctors’ concerns as “media pressure” to get the “best possible negotiation outcome”. In any case, the project will be “developed and modernized,” Rauch continued.
Doctors are working on private billing
However, if no agreement can be reached, the doctors will no longer offer the examinations listed in the passport as health insurance benefits. “We will continue to care for the expectant mothers and their children so that they are not left without a care plan through no fault of their own,” said Thomas Fiedler, president of the Federal Specialist Group.
A private invoicing option is currently being developed so that the exams can be completed as part of the mother-child pass.
Source: Krone
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