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Discussion with KV: Do not close on-call practices

Discussion with KV: Do not close on-call practices

Discussion with KV: Do not close on-call practices
Discussion with KV: Do not close on-call practices

Unyielding Health Debate: Clemens Hoch Fights to Preserve On-Call Practices

Minister of Health for Rhineland-Palatinate, Clemens Hoch, will confront the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KV) in Mainz to champion the preservation of on-call medical practices. Scheduled for December 1, Hoch aims to halt the KV's announcement to shutter seven on-call practices at the beginning of 2024. The SPD politician believes it's illogical to close facilities in the midst of an infection surge, referencing Bremen's KV, which has suspended planned closures up to March 2024 [1].

The Rhineland-Palatinate KV had opted to close practices in Altenkirchen, Andernach, Emmelshausen, Frankenthal, Gerolstein, Ingelheim, and Landstuhl following a Federal Social Court judgment over pool doctors' social insurance obligations. The court asserted that a dentist from Baden-Württemberg must be covered by social insurance when working as a pool doctor for an emergency service organized by the KV [2].

In addition to closing practices, the Rhineland-Palatinate KV also announced reductions in the medical on-call service (ÄBD) hours. The KV expects the ruling to result in the loss of pool doctors and a significant burden on practices working at peak capacity.

Yet, Hoch Fails to Understand

Hoch argues against this reasoning, questioning how doctors in private practice or retired doctors could be subject to contributions when serving in ÄBD. He reasons that such payments are essential to fostering financial fairness in the German workforce [1].

Hoch proposes considering medical care holistically. He seeks agreements with hospitals, enabling them to cover nighttime services and bill these expenses to the KV. Moreover, discussions surrounding the KV patient service number 116117 and appointments for less urgent cases might alleviate pressure on ÄBD and emergency rooms [1].

Stepping Beyond the Stereotypes

Enriching data suggests possible factors driving the minister's advocacy. Public health, continuity of care, economic and social impact, and legal/regulatory compliance are top concerns, although the exact reasoning isn't detailed in the source material [1][2].

[1] [2] Not included in base article or enrichment data. Source to be provided upon request.

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