The CSV clearly stands by the foundation of the Luxembourgish healthcare system:
The solidarity of standing up for each other, equal access, and equal benefits for all insured individuals.
The mandatory contractual obligation (conventioning) of all doctors practicing in Luxembourg to solely adhere to billing possibilities with the statutory health insurance remains in place. Accordingly, the coalition program states: "La médecine conventionnée sera maintenue".
A system with different service classes—like a separation between public and private patients—will not exist in Luxembourg: a clear no to a two-tier medical system.
Taking progress into account.
In line with the coalition program, the CSV is firmly convinced that the healthcare offering must be modernized and adapted to medical progress:
More medical services, previously reserved for hospitals, can and must be offered nationwide. Outpatient activities must be offered outside hospitals too—on the conditions that these practices are operated exclusively by doctors, that hygiene and safety standards are met, and that continued care in the event of complications and emergencies is ensured;
New ways of organizing doctors must be introduced. Doctors' societies will find a legal basis, but they too should be reserved exclusively for medical professionals.
Immediate assistance without long waiting times.
For the CSV, the patient is at the center: Health policy must start from their needs and align the healthcare system accordingly. This means that quick help must be provided in emergencies. It also means that medical care must be well distributed nationwide to keep travel distances short.
It is a fact that our emergency arrival points in hospitals are often overcrowded, leading to long waiting times. These waiting times will be reduced.
Furthermore, medical progress makes it possible that many examinations, procedures, and treatments no longer require a hospital structure with inpatient admission, but can indeed be outsourced to outpatient care structures.
The measures of the Minister of Health are welcomed.
Health Minister Martine Deprez is working hard to implement this. The CSV expressly welcomes,
that a broad campaign was launched to relieve the emergency departments in hospitals by upgrading the role of general practitioners—patients should use them as the first contact point for health problems. Accordingly, the range of services provided by general practitioners will be expanded;
that waiting times will also be reduced beyond this by adjusting the organization, among other things by increasing personnel;
that in a first phase, procedures on the eyes and skin can take place in light hospital structures (“additional sites”)—in a second phase, activities from these “additional sites” under similar conditions will also be made possible on the initiative of doctors' associations;
that the list of medical activities that may be offered in practices should be expanded;
that in the short term, the bill for doctors' societies should be introduced, with these being reserved for doctors approved in Luxembourg.
Communicated by the CSV faction and the CSV party.