Austria's health reform: New solutions for PAIS affected!

Austria's health reform: New solutions for PAIS affected!

On May 16, 2025, it was announced that the National Action Plan (NAP) will be revised to post -acuten infection syndromes (PAIS). State Secretary Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig (SPÖ) emphasized that the plan has not yet been discussed with everyone involved, and expressed the desire to find good solutions for the implementation of the plan. One central goal is to check all offers for those affected in Austria by the end of the year.

The planned measures include setting up contact points for those affected, although it is still unclear whether treatment centers are set up in every state. According to Königsberger-Ludwig, it is important that excessive offers are made available. A specialized primary supply unit (PVE) for ME/CFS patients should start in Salzburg before summer or at the latest in autumn to improve the supply in this area. In addition, the Medical Association in Salzburg is planning training for resident doctors to clear up misunderstandings among the patients.

Reforms in healthcare

At a meeting of health officers, the increase in efficiency and the reform of the healthcare system was intensively discussed. A uniform system for social security portals is to be developed and the electronic health file ELGA and the E-vaccination passport are to be further developed. In addition, the steering of patient flows was addressed in order to improve the predictability in the resident care. An important part of these reforms is the expansion of the Hotline 1450, which exists in all federal states, but is different. This hotline should also serve as a appointment portal for specialist dates.

In the context of the health reform in Austria, the federal government aims to ensure high -quality medical care and to combat existing problems in the health system. The reform has been the greatest structural change for decades and is negotiated with the federal states and social security as part of the financial equalization. By 2028, over 2 billion euros are also provided for health and care annually, which makes up a total of 14 billion euros from the federal government, countries and social security.

key points of the current reform

• Strengthening the resident area and improvement of care by doubling the primary care centers.
• Structural reforms in hospitals with a focus on specialist outpatient clinics and day clinics to reduce inpatient stays.
• expansion of digital offers with annual investments of 51 million euros.
• Promotion of health care with targeted programs and vaccination initiatives.
• Financial support for care and support in the amount of 8.6 billion euros in the next five years, including salary increases for nursing staff.

The aimed at health reform measures should contribute to shorter waiting times and a supply close to home. Primary care units will hold an extended range of services and offer longer opening times to better meet the needs of patients.