Healthcare New licensing procedure for doctors in Aargau to reduce costs
The licensing of specialists in the outpatient sector is to be reorganized in the canton of Aargau. The cantonal government wants to determine the maximum numbers itself in future when implementing the federal requirements.
12.07.2024, 10:33
SDA
Since July 2021, the cantons have had to set maximum numbers for outpatient specialists, which the Aargau government has done in a first step by issuing an ordinance. The number of ophthalmologists (ophthalmology) and radiologists (radiology) was specified in this ordinance, as announced by the State Chancellery on Friday.
According to the Government Council's dispatch to the Grand Council, the Health Act (GesG) is to receive two new paragraphs. They are to regulate the licensing procedure and the determination of the maximum number of doctors who bill their services to the compulsory health insurance.
In the consultation process, a majority of the parties represented in the Grand Council were in favor of the changes, according to which the maximum numbers would be determined by the government from July 1, 2025. A restriction of basic medical care is not planned, the government promised in a press release. As before, "appropriate medical care for the entire population" is to be guaranteed in the canton.
Without a law, there is a threat of a ban on admissions
The government also pointed out that without the amendment to the law, there is a threat of a general freeze on admissions; the message shows that the level of care in Aargau - compared to the Swiss average - is rather low at 84% for general practitioners (general internal medicine).
Other areas in which Aargau has a below-average supply of outpatient providers include psychiatry and psychotherapy (80 percent), child and adolescent psychiatry (59 percent) and allergology (46 percent).
The Grand Council is expected to discuss the bill in September. In the event of a referendum, the bill would also be put to a popular vote in 2025.
