Turning Up the Heat: Woidke Insists on Expediting Dispute over Rescue Mission Costs
- Woidke emphasizes urgency in resolution of funds controversy for emergency response
Hey there! Let's talk about the drama unfolding in Brandenburg, shall we?
The big cheese, Dietmar Woidke, the Minister President, is urging for swift action to resolve a tricky financial predicament concerning the costs of emergency rides. Woidke is on a mission to keep citizens from digging into their own pockets for rescue missions when dialling 112. The government is stepping in as a negotiator to iron out the disagreements between the parties.
"We'll play peacekeeper here, aiming to hammer out a compromise between the two sides," says Woidke, who describes the situation as knotty.
Eight districts are yet to settle the costs for said emergency rides with health insurers. There are 14 districts and four independent cities in the mix. "It's the districts calling the shots here," Woidke advises the districts. "It's about making sure a district designs its rates in such a way that it stays cash-positive."
Since January 1, health insurers have been coughing up fixed flat rates for rescue missions, pending an agreement with the districts on a new calculation. Some districts have already cracked the case, yet others are still facing a funding shortfall.
Markisch-Oderland has gone ahead and is already mailing out bills for the difference from the flat rate dating back to January 1. Oberhavel and Uckermark are holding off on sending bills for now.
The chairman of the district council, Siegurd Heinze, doesn't rule out the possibility of patients bearing some of the costs in additional districts. "Health insurers are scaling back their services towards their clients," shares independent district administrator of Oberspreewald-Lausitz. "The risk of sending bills to citizens is still looming."
Heinze mentions that Interior Minister Katrin Lange (SPD) has suggested a solution at the district council conference: The fees must vanish, the flat rates must vanish.
Flat rates for emergency rides causing a fuss
"Each day, the district's deficit grows bigger if it dodges charging citizens their due despite the reduced amounts from health insurers," states Heinze. "In this respect, it's only a matter of time before the district is compelled to send bills to citizens."
The district council argues that the flat rates are unlawful and demands that the Ministry of Health rectify the situation. The Association of Substitute Health Insurers voiced its readiness for discussions on Monday.
While official data on the progress of these negotiations is scarce, it's crucial to stay tuned for updates from local news sources or official announcements by the districts and health insurers to gain a more comprehensive understanding of this ongoing dispute in Brandenburg.
- In the midst of the ongoing dispute over rescue mission costs, Dietmar Woidke, the Minister President of Brandenburg, insists on expediting the resolution. He is urging districts to design their rates in a way that ensures financial sustainability, as some districts are yet to settle costs with health insurers.
- The Association of Substitute Health Insurers has expressed readiness for discussions on the unlawful flat rates for emergency rides, a topic that has been causing a stir since January 1.
- Districts such as Markisch-Oderland have already begun mailing out bills for the difference from the flat rate, while others like Oberhavel and Uckermark are holding off for the time being. The risk of patients bearing some of the costs still looms, as predicted by independent district administrator of Oberspreewald-Lausitz.
