As expected, a political round with representatives of all regional authorities on financial equalization has not yet brought about a breakthrough.
Finance Minister Magnus Brunner (ÖVP) then explained in a written statement that there was “still a need for discussion between the federal states and the Minister of Health” in the area of health and care.
Brunner: Money has to reach the patient
As Minister of Finance, it is important to him that the money in the healthcare system has to reach the patient. It should not flow into inefficient structures. Basically, Brunner stated: “In general, simply asking for more money is not a negotiating position.” Every sum must be comprehensible and plausible, behind every number there must be a careful, binding and measurable use of tax money.
The Minister of Finance reminded that the federal government had made a lot of money available to cushion the crises. This aid would have helped the people on site in the federal states, cities and communities. The financial situation of these local authorities is also stable after three years of crisis. At the same time, the costs of the past restricted the federal government’s scope for the future.
Wallner for reforms – relieve hospitals
Vorarlberg’s head of state Markus Wallner (ÖVP) said after the round of talks in Vienna that the health sector was very much about reforms. It is important to strengthen the established sector and relieve the hospitals, for which the legal course must now be set. On the basis of such a health care reform, a decision could then be made as to what the financial equalization should look like. Wallner made it clear that the federal states have a stronger spending dynamic than the federal government, which has been proven by a study. There will be no solidarity contribution for crisis costs from the states to the federal government, emphasized the state governor: “There is no leeway for that”.
Waller calls for “more speed”
Tyrol’s governor Anton Mattle (ÖVP) meant before today’s round. “Negotiations need to pick up speed.” In the “Tiroler Tageszeitung” (Tuesday edition) he once again insisted that the share of the tax cake be increased to 25 percent (currently 20 percent). The federal government’s share of healthcare costs must also increase. Wallner also called for “more speed” in the negotiations. “You have to act if you want to get the first results before the summer,” said Wallner.
According to Brunner, more than 30 rounds of discussions have already taken place at expert level on the topics of health, care and the core issues of financial equalization. It was the second political round today. The state finance officers can already discuss the current state of affairs at a meeting in Burgenland on Friday.
