The healthcare system is fragile: too few panel doctors, too many people in hospitals, overworked outpatient clinics. Multifunctional Matthias Krenn runs the health insurance fund and has a lot to do.
The FPÖ politician is mayor of the tourist resort of Bad Kleinkirchheim. He is vice-chairman of the WKO Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the ÖGK Health Insurance Fund. He also holds 14 positions. Considering the critical situation in the health system, which Minister Johannes Rauch pointed out in the “Krone” (“The system is hitting the wall”), a remarkable personality. “Can you do the important office of ÖGK boss on the side?” asks not only NEOS mandatar Gerald Loacker, who introduced a parliamentary question about “Multifunctional Krenn”. The said did not provide any information on Monday.
Another central question: does the Council of Commerce violate the Remuneration Restriction Act? There is therefore only a right to two references. “At Krenn there are at least three. Mayor, WKO, ÖGK,” says Loacker, who also criticizes the fact that two chairmen change every six months. “How can you implement reforms there?”
Reforms have been waiting for decades
Ernest Pichlbauer has been asking these and similar questions for years. As such, the health economist has served on twelve health ministers. “Everyone was talking about reforms. At the same time, it is said that we have the best system. That’s absurd.’ A two-level medicine emerged. Too few panel doctors for integrated care. Many become doctors of choice. Less stress, more money. Many cannot afford that. As a result, masses of patients would end up in hospitals where they didn’t even belong. And the ambulances are overcrowded.
Above all, Pichlbauer demands “financing from a single source. All benefits from birth to death from the same pot”. But there are too many carriers, partly due to federalism. All of this weighs heavily on the diseased system.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
