The planned removal of homeopathic treatments as a benefit of statutory health insurance is facing sometimes fierce criticism. As the FAZ reports, homeopathic doctors and the Bavarian state government are pushing back against the plan by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD).
“Removing the voluntary health insurance benefit for homeopathy would restrict the range of therapies available in medical care,” said Dr. Michaela Geiger, chairwoman of the German Central Association of Homeopathic Physicians. It would create a “therapeutic monoculture” – with patients suffering as a result. Homeopathy is used alongside conventional medicine, and many patients specifically come to practices for it.
Lauterbach had announced that he would stop the funding of globules and other homeopathic treatments by the health insurers. He justified this with a lack of medical benefit. He receives support from the FDP and the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV). KBV chief Andreas Gassen called it the right step: homeopathy is “marketing to the insured” without sufficient scientific evidence.
Baden-Württemberg’s Health Minister Manne Lucha (Greens), on the other hand, called for a halt to the plan. Many people trust homeopathy because of good experiences. The pharmacists’ association warned of cost increases, as doctors might switch to more expensive alternative medications.
Source: www.faz.net
