ASVG defines the tasks of social insurance

“The ASVG clearly defines the tasks of social insurance in health treatment. It is the duty of the self-government to ensure this. Anyone who calls for an unrestricted expansion of benefits today is endangering our solidarity system,” explains Peter Lehner, SVS chairman and, from January 1, 2025, chairman of the Conference of Social Insurance Institutions, and quotes paragraph 133 ASVG: “Health care must be sufficient and appropriate, but it is allowed do not exceed what is necessary. Through medical treatment, health, the ability to work and the ability to care for vital personal needs should, if possible, be restored, strengthened or improved.

Lehner makes it clear that he never spoke of benefit cuts “as some political representatives and officials claim.” “We have an enormously stressed system and the economic conditions are demanding. Austria has been in recession for two years and our budget resources are limited. We have to handle the contributions of our insured persons responsibly,” emphasizes Lehner and continues: “Polemics, deliberate misinterpretation and scaremongering in order to make political change are the wrong answer. We need an intensive discussion about how we can further develop our healthcare system in a modern, efficient and future-oriented manner. In addition to consistent digitalization and the transformation from a repair to a prevention system, we need active patient management. The introduction of case management would be one of the options. This supports patients and relieves the burden on service providers such as doctors and hospitals as well as the entire system.”