Minister of Health and Social Affairs Johannes Rauch (Greens) is sticking to the health care reform agreed by the federal, state and social security authorities, despite protests from the medical association. There will be “a fight to the end,” he said in the Ö1 “Mittagsjournal” about the ongoing discussions about the package to be decided together with the financial equalization. Rauch emphasized that he has support from his coalition partner ÖVP. The reform will be supported “all the way to the Chancellor”.
It will be a good and coordinated package that has not been seen on this scale for decades. “I am the patient’s advocate,” is how he explained his self-image in this context. It is important for them to guarantee good medical care, regardless of their income.
Rauch accuses the medical association of “disinformation”
He compared the work on the reform to drilling a meter-thick plate. If it doesn’t work out, “it will have taken a long time,” Rauch said. Because no one else is doing this “ox tour”.
About the medical association, which fears its power in healthcare and had warned of a split and a wave of cuts, the minister said the opposite was the case. The medical association spread disinformation.
Contract termination “off the table”
Nevertheless, after the conversation with Chamber President Johannes Steinhart on Friday, Rauch was hopeful that he could ultimately reach a constructive outcome with the medical professional representation, which should be presented early next week. Rauch did not say at what point he could still help the room. “I have learned: the bag only closes when everyone is in the boat,” was all he said.
Regarding the chamber’s threatened termination of the health insurance contract, Rauch said that neither the medical profession nor the medical association really wanted that: “So in my opinion this threat is now off the table.”
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.
