Berlin Health Minister Karl Lauterbach had to reckon with the fact that the appearance at the Doctors’ Day in Bremen would not be easy. His predecessor Jens Spahn (CDU) annoyed the medical profession with his digital projects, recently she did not feel properly involved in the vaccination campaign. With distrust, which was also felt in Bremen, the doctors are now looking at the successor.
Lauterbach had to listen to criticism for the fact that the hospital commission he convened had no members from the medical profession. “It takes the know-how of the practical people to find really practical solutions,” said the President of the German Medical Association, Klaus Reinhardt, in Bremen. He therefore very much regrets that the commission was only made up of theoreticians. The delegates acknowledged the words with loud cheers and shouts.
The noise level in the hall also rose when Reinhardt called it an “affront” that an amendment to the doctors’ fee schedule had been “delayed for three decades”. It regulates the billing of medical services that are not covered by statutory health insurance companies. “So that you don’t leave the Doctors’ Day without a gift,” said Reinhardt in the direction of Lauterbach, “I brought you a first printed copy of the new fee schedule”.
Lauterbach accepted the gift, a large, heavy, black-bound book so bulky that the minister didn’t know what to do with it at first. “I will examine it without prejudice,” he began his speech. “I can assure you of that.” Lauterbach also tried to get the medical profession on his side in other ways. He thanked, for example, for the use of the doctors in the pandemic. “You can be proud of the achievements,” he said.
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Lauterbach repeatedly appealed to the delegates to support him in his projects – such as a corona plan for autumn, new structures for the treatment of long-Covid patients and a global pandemic pact that he agreed with the G7. Lauterbach even received a surprising amount of applause at some points in his speech – for example for his commitment to a collective agreement for the public health service.
World Medical Director Ulrich Montgomery loudly interjected the keyword when Lauterbach spoke about better equipment for the health authorities. “You’re absolutely right,” Lauterbach replied.
Applause for action in the pandemic
Many have known the SPD politician for decades, he was already working on health policy reforms as an advisor at the turn of the millennium. He is also highly credited for his commitment during the pandemic. He received great applause when he described how protesters in front of Bremen City Hall shouted at him before his performance instead of talking to people. “Citizens couldn’t get to me because protesters threatened violence,” he said. “But threats and violence never have a place,” he cried.
May 24, 2022, Bremen: Karl Lauterbach (SPD), Federal Minister of Health, speaks at a press conference on the subject of monkeypox, which is taking place on the sidelines of the Doctors’ Day. The 126th German Doctors’ Day will take place from May 24th to May 27th, 2022 in Bremen. Photo: Sina Schuldt/dpa +++ dpa picture radio +++
(Photo: dpa)
Last but not least, many appreciate the minister’s scientific expertise, but some find it a bit strange how much space the minister devotes to it in his speeches. In particular, the parts about the pandemic were like a proseminar at the university, describes one delegate. It sometimes seems as if Lauterbach is more interested in scientific than in political discourse.
In Bremen, too, the Minister of Health did not skimp on his study knowledge, explained long-Covid symptoms, spoke about antibiotic resistance and the increasing danger that viruses could spread from animals to humans. In places, one had the feeling that Lauterbach was not speaking as a minister in Bremen, but as a speaker.
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In the end, however, Lauterbach devoted himself to the political lowlands. He’s already under pressure not to ignite reform fireworks, he says. But he wants to do things well and prepare together. He counters the fact that there are no representatives of the medical profession on the hospital commission by saying that it is the wrong view of things “to play off practice against scientists”. The practitioners would also be heard, but this had to be done systematically.
In addition, Lauterbach tried to react to the anger at the digitization course of his predecessor, which was too fast for many in the medical profession. Lauterbach has already stopped the mandatory start of electronic prescriptions indefinitely, which many here give him credit for. “The benefits must be felt immediately by patients and doctors,” he says. One should not be driven by the available technology, but by the medical advantages.
He ended happily with the words: “For me you are not a cost factor, but continue to be colleagues. I’m looking forward to working together.” However, he still has to prove that he can take the medical profession with him for his reforms.
More: 830 million euros for vaccinations: Lauterbach is still investing that much money in the fight against the pandemic