Oliver Blatt, the Chairman of the GKV-Spitzenverband, sharply criticized statements made by the Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung regarding more difficult appointment scheduling as part of planned healthcare reforms. Speaking to the “Rheinischen Post” on Tuesday, Blatt noted that while the opposition’s lack of immediate support for the reform commission’s proposals was expected, the threat of offering fewer appointments in the future was neither appropriate nor effective. He added that he urges doctors to engage seriously in the discussion about changes across all areas. According to Blatt, if the commission tightens spending on supplementary payments intended to speed up appointments, this is justified, as quick appointments are already scarce. He concluded that demanding extra money for performance improvements that do not exist is unrealistic, and that threats are unhelpful, making good reforms difficult to achieve.
Mixed
