The hospitals in the federal capital only want to treat the Viennese.
The Viennese healthcare system has a problem: a severe staff shortage. This is nothing new and also affects other federal states. What is new, however, is the way Vienna is reacting to the now aggravated situation with a massive shortage of personnel (flu wave, cold snap and corona). Non-Viennese should be turned away in Viennese hospitals.
The only exceptions are emergencies and interventions that are only possible in Vienna. The reason is as follows: around 20% of patients in Viennese hospitals are not from Vienna. The Vienna Health Association argues that they should be treated in their home state.
The argument is weak. Vienna provides medical care for the eastern region and also receives money from the financial equalization system. By the way: What about people from the surrounding area who work in Vienna and also pay taxes here?
Patients from all over Austria have free access to a hospital of their choice. Alright then. On the one hand because everyone pays in a common system and the misery in Vienna is partly homemade. On the other hand, the healthcare system today consists largely of specialized hospitals. Anyone in need of a new hip, for example, is more likely to turn to specialized clinics in Vienna than to a country hospital that has little experience with hip operations.
“Viennese first” is reminiscent of something
In any case, the Viennese Health Association’s plan brings the Austrian health care system to the point of absurdity and would create a four-class society. In addition to those who have the money for private doctors, those who have reports and those who have private supplementary insurance, there is now the class that has residence in Vienna.
“Austria first!” Jörg Haider thundered once and initiated the referendum of the same name. Perhaps now even social democratic Vienna will initiate a referendum. The SPÖ already had the name: “Viennese first!”
