Health insurance contribution increases demonstrate the government's helplessness.
29.07.2010 10:05
DGbV demands more attention to the actual care situation.
The German government's efforts to get healthcare financing under control appear amateurish. Billions of euros could be saved in the healthcare system if the untapped efficiency reserves in care management were utilized, according to the German Society for Citizen-Oriented Care Management (DGbV). All purely fiscal measures are ineffective if these efficiency reserves are not simultaneously addressed.
„"We expect health policymakers to focus more on promoting strategies to combat the alarming rise in behavior- and environment-related illnesses, in addition to implementing more effective structures and processes," stated the German Society for Behavioral Medicine (DGbV) at its meeting today. An increasing number of chronically ill patients require more and more services. These illnesses differ fundamentally from acute illnesses. Chronically ill patients have up to 90% control over the success of their treatment. Between 15 and 20 billion euros are senselessly "wasted" in the healthcare system every year because prescriptions are not followed or patients are not adequately supported in the necessary self-management, according to the DGbV.
Recent studies show that only about 401,000 asthma patients in Germany receive guideline-compliant treatment. The situation is similar for other chronic diseases. For example, type 2 diabetes is developing into a disaster for social systems in the 21st century. The number of people with diabetes has doubled in the last 10 years. It is expected that new cases will increase rapidly within the next few decades. Aside from the personal suffering, the associated economic burden threatens the future stability of our healthcare system and our economy.
Against the backdrop of demographic change in Germany, the increase in chronic diseases, and steadily rising healthcare costs, new, cross-sectoral, and efficient approaches to healthcare management are needed. It is essential to direct healthcare funding in such a way as to enable the necessary investments in the future. "We call for a healthcare policy that finally pays more attention to the actual healthcare delivery process and gives greater consideration to the active role of the insured, instead of burdening them with ever-increasing costs," emphasizes Dr. John N. Weatherly, President of the German Association for Private Healthcare (DGbV).