On Friday, the federal government, the states and social security agreed on the concrete implementation of the health care reform, which was already decided in the National Council in December. Implementation negotiations had recently stalled due to financial equalization and were even in danger of failure.
The financing was already fixed with the financial equalization, now it was a matter of creating a set of rules on how the funds can be used, which projects are taken into account or what evidence must be provided on the use of funds – the “ Krone,” reported.
Precise rules have been drawn up
Now the exact rules have been laid down, as stated by Minister of Health Johannes Rauch (Greens), Upper Austrian Deputy Governor Christine Haberlander (ÖVP), Viennese City Councilor for Health Peter Hacker (SPÖ) and Peter Lehner, chairman of the Conference of Social insurance providers, announced during a joint press conference:
- At federal level, the partners jointly decide on an annual work program. Monitoring also takes place on the expenditure of the resources.
- Specific projects – for example additional cash registers, longer opening hours, the establishment of special outpatient clinics or the expansion of primary care – are decided by the intended management committees at state level. The federal government, the states and social security are also represented there.
14 billion euros are available
In total, EUR 14 billion in jointly raised funds will be available for healthcare reforms by 2028 through financial equalization.
The flu vaccination will be free in the future
It was also decided on Friday that the flu vaccination will be free, as will the HPV vaccination up to the age of 30 (previously 21 years). Further vaccinations are expected to follow at the end of 2024. The federal government will continue to finance vaccinations against Covid-19 in the 2024/2025 vaccination season.
For Health Minister Rauch, the agreement is an “important step towards implementing the urgently needed reforms.” Haberlander, Hacker and Lehner were also satisfied.
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.
