Nine states agree on joint line for the healthcare system

At the same time, the states made clear that future nationwide service commitments may only be adopted together with secured financing, realistic workforce planning, and clear responsibilities. Tyrolean Health State Councillor Cornelia Hagele (ÖVP), under whose leadership the meeting took place, pointed to the growing burdens on the system: „Gleichzeitig müssen wir die Realität anerkennen: Die demografische Entwicklung, der medizinische Fortschritt und der zunehmende Personalmangel stellen das System vor gewaltige Herausforderungen."

Expansion of primary care and 1450

Specifically, the states agreed to expand primary care and the telephone health advisory service 1450 into a nationwide 24/7 steering system. In the future, clear pathways are to be followed: digital before outpatient before inpatient. The goal is better guidance of patients so that treatments can be provided according to the respective need.

With the agreement, the states reaffirm their claim to share responsibility for future healthcare reforms together with the federal government. „Die Länder stehen geschlossen hinter einem starken öffentlichen Gesundheitssystem," the joint position stated. In doing so, the officials position themselves as negotiating partners vis-à-vis the federal government and emphasize the need to develop service offerings, financial resources, and personnel matters in step with one another.

Political signal to the federal government

The gathering at Grundlsee took place under the leadership of this year's chair, State Councillor Cornelia Hagele. The nine federal states – from Burgenland to Vorarlberg – send their respective health officials, and the agreement was reached unanimously according to participants. In doing so, the states signal their capacity to act in a political field that has repeatedly been marked by conflicts between the federal government and the states in recent years.

In the background, several factors are pushing for fundamental reform: an aging population, medical-technical progress with more expensive therapies – for example in the area of high-priced medicines – as well as a noticeable shortage of doctors and nursing staff. According to the participants, the joint position of the states is to form the starting point for further negotiations with the federal government on financing and responsibilities.

Open questions on financing

It initially remained open what concrete cost consequences are associated with the expansion of primary care and 1450 and how the demanded secured financing is to be designed. The question of what role the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) and social insurance will play in the new steering system is also part of the upcoming talks. The states announced that they will bring the agreed points into the next rounds of negotiations with the federal government.

With the meeting at Grundlsee, the states are also setting a political signal externally: In times of increasingly scarce resources, they want the public healthcare system to be understood as a shared task. According to Kornhäusl, the unanimity of the position is intended to increase pressure on the federal government to implement reforms not unilaterally, but in agreement with the states.