Doctors' Surgeries Protest Against Healthcare Policy Overhaul
Once again, doctors' surgeries across Germany will shut down in protest against the federal government's healthcare policy decisions. The Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in Hesse (KVH) announced this stance in Frankfurt, coinciding with the Christmas and New Year bridging days. Various professional orgs advocate for private practice doctors to join this movement, urging sustained pressure on politicians.
"Practice closures, even on the bridge days from December 27 to 29, are crucial," says KVH chairman Frank Dastych. "The last individuals in Berlin must understand that quality outpatient care demands suitable framework conditions from the government."
The KVH will maintain its medical on-call service centers during these closed periods to support affected patients. Already in 2022, practices across Hesse and Germany have staged protest closures to encourage better health policy conditions.
Background Insights
- The ongoing dispute centres around the federal government's health policy, focusing on the financial burden and administrative challenges faced by healthcare providers.
- The Free Democratic Party (FDP) has suggested reducing health insurance fees for patients who go without seeing a doctor or pay out-of-pocket in a quarter, while the Social Democratic Party (SPD) advocates for quick access to medical appointments, if appointments are delayed, patients are entitled to reduced insurance contributions.
The protests won't be isolated to these specific days. Instead, they're an escalation of the broader political debate, as Germany heads towards the Bundestag elections in February 2025. Highlighting the crucial role of health policies in the successful operation of medical services is a priority for the KVH and its members.
