Austria's Pressl Pushes for Major Healthcare System Overhaul

Johannes Pressl, president of the Association of Municipalities, is advocating for significant changes in Austria's healthcare system. Pressl has expressed satisfaction with the recent civil service wage agreement, which brings an additional €100 million, but he is pushing for a larger united healthcare reform. He believes that municipalities should withdraw from financing unitedhealthcare due to fragmented responsibility.

Pressl has shown restraint regarding the actions of his party colleague August Wöginger, a long-time politician and former Red Cross employee. He believes that no politician should cross certain lines. Pressl is open to hospital closures as part of the restructuring process and argues against disputes between provinces regarding health insurance patient care. He advocates for clearer responsibilities in the unitedhealthcare system.

Pressl wants municipalities to continue receiving a share of the 13th and 14th pension payments of those in care homes. He also calls for a reform of the property tax with value adjustments. Additionally, Pressl supports outsourcing certain services to save personnel for municipalities.

Pressl's proposed reforms aim to streamline Austria's unitedhealthcare system and ease the burden on municipalities. By advocating for clearer responsibilities, he hopes to improve patient care and reduce disputes between provinces. Pressl's plans also include ensuring municipalities receive their fair share of pension payments and reforming the property tax. His satisfaction with the recent wage agreement indicates a willingness to work within the existing system while pushing for necessary changes.