eHealth law: This is what critics say E-Health

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The first draft of the eHealth Act has been available since January. The law is intended to break into a digital health system in Germany. But criticism hails from all sides.

A lot of interests, a lot of criticism

In principle, the various stakeholders in health care support that the government wants to accelerate digitization by law. After all, it was over 10 years ago that the introduction of the electronic health card was decided with the 2004 health reform. A lot has been discussed about digital infrastructure and networking since then, but apart from individual pilot projects, little has happened. The criticism of the various interest groups is correspondingly harsh.

The Federal Minister of Health says about the eHealth law

At the center of criticism is the accusation that the draft law works too much with the whip and too little with the carrot. Instead of creating positive incentives, the club of sanctions is swung – true to the principle issued by Federal Minister of Health Gröhe: “Whoever blocks, pays.” On the other hand, he is on the right path and hopes that digitization in the healthcare system will finally pick up speed. Because the electronic health card is still “like a sports car waiting in the garage for its use.

We finally need data highways so that the electronic health card can show what it is made of. ” the criticism of the association digital health (VdigG) on. The members complain in their statement: “In the newly created §31a, the law requires that patients receive this plan (the medication plan) in paper form. And of all things in a law that bears the name “eHealth”. ”In her opinion, this alone shows the inconsistency of the proposed law. Her conclusion is accordingly sobering: “Just don't step on your feet, just don't stir up dust, less is more! – No, the design is certainly not the big hit. ”

That's what the doctors say

Doctors are also initially pleased that the eHealth Act is starting the debate about a digitally networked health system. At the same time, however, they react irritably to the built-in sanction mechanisms.

Dr. Andreas Gassen, Chairman of the Board of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV), made it clear: “We reject political sanctions. At least for the doctors, they are not only not necessary, but make it even more difficult to create the necessary acceptance. That is why the medical added value is so crucial. This has to be started now and not with outsourced administrative processes of the health insurance companies such as the online comparison of the insured master data in the practices. "

At the same time, however, he also emphasizes the aspects that are positive from his point of view: “Finally, telemedical services, discharge letters and electronic doctor's letters are clearly named. These are added values ​​that patients and doctors can use and that have so far been hindered by the health insurance companies. ”The health insurance companies in turn complain about the financial incentives with which the sending of electronic doctor's letters should be initiated.

That's what the health insurance companies say

Ulrike Elsner, Chairman of the board of the Verband der Ersatzkassen e. V. (vdek), does not understand why start-up financing is needed: “From the vdek's point of view, however, the financial incentives that the law provides for doctors are problematic must be made in paper form – are now to be paid extra. On the contrary: Here, practice personnel are relieved by electronic applications. ”

That's what the pharmacists say

Also the European Mail Order Pharmacy Association (EAMSP) don't skimp on criticism of the planned eHealth law. "A medication plan on paper in 2016 does not correspond to our understanding of a digital age in the German healthcare system, but rather the electronic availability for patients – anytime and anywhere," says EAMSP board member Olaf Heinrich, highlighting the concerns of the mail-order pharmacist.

That's what the IT industry says

According to Stefan Zorn, Spokesman for Network Health at SIBB e.V. and Managing Director of imatics Software GmbH, the interoperability index should be revised in order to “promote the innovative strength of the German health IT companies and to use it for a quick development of the ecosystem necessary for the success of the interoperability index”.

For Dr. Markus Müschenich from the Federal Association of Internet Medicine (BiM) the law is obsolete before it is passed. The technical understanding is based on the late 90s: "The draft of the eHealth Act now submitted to the Minister of Health no longer corresponds to the reality of care before it is published". The achievements of internet medicine would be hidden. He also uses the car to make a comparison: "If Parliament follows the proposal, it's like having a car with an explosion engine built while successful companies are already sending self-driving electric cars onto the road."

Why the draft eHealth Act is a success despite all criticism

The selected statements by the various protagonists give an idea of ​​why the digitalization of the German health system is not making progress and why the sports car cited at the beginning has been hammering in the garage for 10 years.

Thanks to German pluralism. Nevertheless, most commentators agree on one point: it is good that politicians are exerting their influence and trying to promote digitization. So far, it has been a draft law. There will certainly be some changes to be made before the final adoption by Parliament. The fact that the current draft law is already drawing so much attention shows how important the project is. Now it is time to moderate the various interests and convert them into an eHealth law that also deserves this name.

There is a detailed compilation of the statements of various organizations and protagonists here,

Further information on the eHealth Act:

Does the eHealth law bring the decisive breakthrough?

Electronic health card: a digital disaster?

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