Cantons Do Not Want to Transfer Hospital Planning to the Federal Government
Published: Sunday, Oct 1st 2023, 05:26
Updated At: Friday, Oct 13th 2023, 14:12
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The Conference of Cantonal Health Directors (GDK) has rejected the proposal for a national hospital planning system. GDK President Lukas Engelberger said that the federal government is too far removed from the realities of healthcare provision and would need to build structures and acquire the necessary knowledge to pay for inpatient hospital treatments, which currently account for more than half of the costs. He suggested that the cantons should plan more efficiently and cooperate more closely, rather than focusing on the number of hospitals. Engelberger cited the example of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft, which have a joint hospital planning system, but have experienced an “above average” use of certain medical treatments. The GDK has attempted to limit service contracts, but some measures have been taken to court. Engelberger said that the federal government would experience the same challenges if it were to take over hospital planning. Martin Landolt, president of the health insurance association Santésuisse, had proposed a national hospital planning system the previous week, claiming that the cantons are in a conflict of interests, leading to “overpriced and unnecessary” hospitals. Engelberger disagreed with this statement.
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