The work plan of the Federal Ministry of Health
Nursing and healthcare professions
As early as December 2023, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach presented key points for a “Nursing Competence Act” to increase the attractiveness of nursing professions. The key points provide for extended competence for nurses, including more independent decision-making and therapeutic powers without direct medical involvement. A draft law is expected in the first quarter of 2024.
A second project is the reform of medical studies. The first draft of the regulation for the reorganization of medical training is already available. New features include an expansion of general medical training content across all phases of study and an increased emphasis on scientific work. The draft regulation is currently being evaluated by federal states and associations.
A reform in the field of physiotherapy is also planned: the training is to be partially academized. The training in occupational therapy and speech therapy is then to be revised according to similar criteria.
Hospitals
Even in 2024, there is still no concrete timetable for the announced hospital reform. The reason for this is that the Hospital Transparency Act has yet to be passed. However, Karl Lauterbach had made the passing of this law a condition for drafting a comprehensive hospital reform. The Bundesrat rejected the law in November 2023. The law is currently in the mediation process between the federal government, Bundestag and Bundesrat.
At a meeting with representatives of local authorities and cities in January, Lauterbach expressed optimism that the draft law for a hospital reform could be passed by the cabinet on April 24. This would enable it to come into force in 2025.
In January, the first key points for the reform of emergency care were also presented. A draft law is planned for the first quarter. The aim of the reform is to better coordinate the three areas of care (contracted doctors' emergency services, hospital emergency rooms and ambulance services).
Medical care
Announced in the summer of 2023, the BMG now intends to present the Care Acts I and II in 2024. The draft for the Care Act I is currently in the so-called interdepartmental coordination between the federal ministries involved. A specific publication date is not mentioned. The draft for the Care Act II is planned for the period “after the Care Act I”.
The aim of the Healthcare Provision Act I is to strengthen healthcare provision in local communities. Among other things, it is planned to remove budgeting for general practitioners and to abolish support for homeopathy.
The Healthcare Provision Act II aims, among other things, to improve outpatient psychotherapeutic care and to ensure compliance with the care contracts of panel doctors.
Patient rights
The BMG is also planning a reform of the Patient Rights Act. To this end, the BMG is in dialogue with the Federal Ministry of Justice. The key points of a reform are currently being developed. It is already known that the rights of patients in the event of medical errors are to be strengthened. A hardship fund with capped claims is also to be introduced.
Editor