>> Professor Amelung, has the German healthcare system really learned in the years since the BMC existed?
The healthcare system is certainly not suitable for once-in-a-century reforms. The system is far too complex and the goal, namely high-quality medical care for people, is far too important to ultimately jeopardize it through radical measures. Since its founding in 1883, statutory health insurance has been characterized by continuous development - an internationally unique tradition of which we can be a little proud. This is not to say that fundamental changes are not urgently needed given the supply challenges ahead. But the expectation among broad sections of the population, which is also fueled by the media, that politicians can transform the entire health care system with the stroke of a pen is often exaggerated and should not be used as a benchmark for evaluating health policy and the further development of health insurance.

Where has the German healthcare system improved significantly in the last 15 years and where has it not?
In fact, a lot has happened in the last ten to 15 years. Consider, for example, health insurance companies. 15 years ago, the health insurance funds were still administrators of membership fees. Today they are economically active institutions that have to develop and implement patient-oriented care offers in the competition for insured people. While a short time ago there was uniform care, the offer of special forms of care has now become an important competitive tool for health insurance companies. The health insurance companies have certainly acquired a high level of competence - although sometimes more would certainly be desirable. This is particularly true when working with routine data and health services research. The awareness that different patient groups require differentiated care offerings and must be addressed individually is becoming increasingly widespread.

But where can the actually noticeable improvement be located?
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