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Doctors newspaper online, 17.07.2019
Federal Cabinet
Three in one fell swoop: The Federal Cabinet gives the go-ahead for measles vaccination, the on-site pharmacy law and the MDK reform. Nevertheless, it hails criticism of the plans
By Thomas Hommel
© Wolfgang Kumm / dpa
BERLIN . At its last meeting before the summer break, the Federal Cabinet gave the go-ahead for several legislative proposals by Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU).
The round approved on Wednesday the "Measles Protection Law", a reform to reorganize the Medical Services of Health Insurance (MDK) and a law that will strengthen the "on-site pharmacies".
I am pleased that the Federal Cabinet has just launched three more laws @BMG_Bund : the Measles Protection Act, the MDK Reform Act and the Act to Strengthen the On-Premises Pharmacies.
– Jens Spahn (@jensspahn) 17. July 2019
Previously, rumors had arisen that these reforms could be Spahn's last as Minister of Health, as he would possibly change to the Ministry of Defense after the election of Ursula von der Leyen (CDU) to the new Commission President. On Wednesday, Spahn made it clear he would like to be Minister of Health, and that continues to apply.
Measles vaccination obligation to apply from March 2020
The "Measles Protection Act" brought by the Cabinet stipulates that children and pupils must be vaccinated against measles when entering a day-care center, school or community facility. This also applies to employees there.
In addition, workers in health facilities and asylum seekers' accommodation as well as residents of the accommodation must be vaccinated. For violations threaten fines of up to 2500 €.
It is also foreseen that Kitas non-vaccinated children may refuse to visit the facility. The aim is "to protect as many children as possible from measles infection," said Spahn. The new regulations should apply from March 2020.
Pharmacists should be able to vaccinate people against the flu
The law strengthening "on-the-spot pharmacies" provides for extra night and emergency services and extra money for extra services.
Pharmacists should also be allowed to take influenza vaccinations. That should be tested in model projects. Family doctors had emphasized flu shots clearly belonged to the family doctor's office.
Mail order pharmacies should also be allowed by law to insure patients with prescription drugs no discounts more. Spahn spoke of a fair competition.
Critics accuse him of wanting to subordinate foreign mail-order pharmacies to German price-fixing. "He will fail," said FDP health expert Christine Aschenberg-Dugnus. The extra expenditure by law amounts to 215 million euros per year.
MDK is separated from cash registers
With the
MDK reform the Medical Service will in the future be organisationally separated from the health insurance funds and act as an independent body of public law. Also, testing in health care will be put on a new footing.
This also applies to the review of hospital bills. From 2020, the exams are to be limited – at the top to a quota of 15 percent.
The German Hospital Association (DKG) called the limitation of the testing quotas overdue. "With 2.8 billion euros, which reach the health insurance companies on almost any accounting inquiries, the hospitals are withdrawn massive amounts of funds for services provided," said DKG CEO Georg Baum.
The GKV-Spitzenverband, on the other hand, spoke of a wrong course. Houses that miscalculated would be spared. AOK chief Martin Litsch said the changes in the billing audit have turned the reform into a farce. "The hospital lobby is laughing at its fist."
BKK boss Franz Knieps said that it is hardly possible to explain why a hospital bill – unlike a workman's bill – should no longer be checked after fulfillment of a quota.
After the summer break, the Bundestag is on the train. The approval of the Landkammer for the planned reforms is not necessary, with the exception of two regulations which are attached to the Pharmacy Act.
We've updated this post on 17.07.2019 at 16:48.
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