Austrian doctors criticise funds' reform opposition:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Otto Pjeta, president of the Austrian Doctors' Chamber (OAK), has criticised the statutory health insurance funds for refusing to accept any form of structural reform. One of the OAK's proposals is to use insurance fund contributions to fund group practices, which would broaden and intensify treatment procedures. "It is only right that we should attempt to realise such savings. In this way, we doctors have shown that we are ready to accept our responsibility and contribute towards cost cutting," he said. If such a structural reform is not implemented, Austria can expect longer waiting times and lists, rationing and a general decay of the health system, he added. Parliament is expected to consider the proposals in early July.