State Secretary for Health wants specialist centers

To address the shortage of doctors and the waiting time for appointments, the State Secretary wants to "create a basic range of health advice" – SPÖ party leader Andreas Babler had spoken of a "health navigation system" in this regard. A project contract has been awarded for this purpose through the Target Steering Commission, the State Secretary stated. On the one hand, health advice via the 1450 hotline is to be expanded, and an appointment service is to be rolled out nationwide via this hotline. Patients who wish to do so could then receive a doctor's appointment directly via this hotline – earlier than elsewhere. A uniform offering is to be available in Austria by the end of 2026.

Another point is the rollout of a telemedicine service. Königsberger-Ludwig countered the Medical Association's concerns about parallel structures, which had even led to the Association filing a lawsuit against a tender issued by the ÖGK (Austrian Society of Health Insurance). She said that it's not about competition, but rather about making optimal use of resources. They are working intensively on this, too.

Specialist centers and expansion of PVEs

Königsberger-Ludwig sees primary care units (PCUs) in particular as a model for the future, especially because of the interdisciplinary collaboration between various healthcare professionals – including social workers. "This is an incredible added value for the doctors because they can truly coordinate as a team." Added to this are the extended opening hours for patients.

The goal is to increase the number of primary care units from the current number of around 100 to approximately 300 by 2030, she said. Königsberger-Ludwig is also placing a strong emphasis on the establishment of specialist medical centers planned in the government program. Currently, only general practitioners and pediatricians can establish a primary care unit. The goal is to make this possible for specialists as well.

Doctor shortage: Continued demand for more study places

Despite skepticism within the Chamber, the State Secretary intends to counter the looming shortage of doctors, which the Medical Association recently warned about, by increasing the number of study places: "Sooner or later, we will have to discuss increasing the number of medical study places – also knowing that this is a real challenge in the current budgetary situation." She does not share the Medical Association's concerns about a glut of doctors. As the Chamber itself emphasized, the "baby boomers" will soon be retiring, she pointed to a corresponding warning from the professional association about a wave of retirements.

Doctors' jobs - making them more attractive

She could "100 percent endorse" the Medical Association's call for making the profession more attractive, for example, in terms of working hours and family-friendliness. Currently, there is less of a shortage of doctors than there is a shortage of doctors in the public system, she shared the professional association's analysis – this is particularly pronounced in the areas of pediatrics and gynecology.

"I also believe that the positions covered by health insurance simply have to be attractive." Young, qualified physicians must be offered various opportunities – with flexible models, group practices, primary care units – and even with permanent positions. "And since medicine is becoming more female, we have to take that into account," she said, referring to the increased proportion of women in medicine.

Time is also an important factor in making it more attractive: "Every doctor says they need more time for their patients so they don't have to rush them through." The health insurance contracts must also be rewarded accordingly: "This is a point where the social insurance system really needs to think about how to ensure that doctors enjoy working in the system."

Private doctors: Against obligation, for incentives

In the ever-heating debate about obligations for private physicians to contribute to the public health system, Königsberger-Ludwig advocates for incentives. "I'm always a fan of incentives, not sanctions," she said, referring to her proposal to grant bonus points in the entrance exam for medical school if applicants, in return, commit to being available to the public system for five years after graduation. The goal is to attract young female physicians into the public system. Relevant discussions with Science Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner are already underway.

Königsberger-Ludwig hopes the planned expansion of the Electronic Health Record (ELGA) will ease the burden on physicians—moving away from a mere collection of findings in PDF format to a "patient summary" (with a search function, among other things). "I believe this will also lead to an end to some duplicate findings."

Strengthening the health insurance system, ÖGK overall contract necessary

Regarding the time factor in medical practices, Königsberger-Ludwig also referred to her goal of a comprehensive contract for doctors with the Austrian Society of Public Health (ÖGK). This, she emphasized, is a "major challenge." Just on Thursday, the SPÖ politician emphasized that the recommendations of the Court of Auditors were being taken seriously. In a draft report, the court recommended disempowering the state medical associations, thus eliminating the need for them to approve uniform regulations.

Königsberger-Ludwig emphasized that the primary goal was to reach an agreement with all parties involved. However, when asked, she added that negotiations could also result in a legislative initiative that follows the recommendations of the Court of Auditors—and thus represents a reorganization of responsibilities to the detriment of the state medical associations.

A comprehensive contract would likely cost more initially. But it's about fulfilling the promise made during the health insurance merger—"namely, that there will be uniform services and uniform fee systems." This didn't happen back then, she said, referring to the recently much-criticized reform under the then-Christian Democratic Union (CDU)-Christian Social Union (CDU) government.

Neither citizens nor doctors understand the differences in services and rates depending on the federal state. "First and foremost, the Austrian Health Insurance Association (ÖGK) must, of course, reach an agreement with the Medical Association, and the federal government will have to ensure that costs don't explode," said the State Secretary. "But I believe that's the order of the day." She also wanted to emphasize that not every change in the healthcare sector has to be about cost-cutting. "I'm convinced that if you look at how you can use resources efficiently, that can also lead to improved services." Overall, it's important to regain public trust in the public healthcare system.

Vaccination gaps, information campaign

Königsberger-Ludwig is also concerned with trust when it comes to vaccination. An information campaign is planned to reinstate vaccination as an important preventive measure. She also pointed to the planned new free vaccination campaigns against pneumococcus and shingles (herpes zoster) starting at the end of 2025 and during 2026, respectively, for adult risk groups (all persons aged 60 and over, as well as for defined risk groups with chronic illnesses). The vaccination campaigns against influenza and the coronavirus vaccine will also remain free. Königsberger-Ludwig also pointed to the free HPV vaccination campaign for those up to 30 years of age, which has been extended until June next year.