2024-11-18 14:01:00
Burgenland is amending the Social Institutions Act passed in 2019 following a ruling by the Constitutional Court (VfGH) and will therefore link the receipt of state funds to non-profit status from 2029. “No profit can be made from care,” emphasized State Councilor Leonhard Schneemann (SPÖ) and the red club chairman Roland Fürst on Monday. The change consists in extending the transition periods from the initially planned four to ten years.
A total of 17 supporting organizations with 45 facilities operate in Burgenland. Ten providers with 34 facilities are already non-profit. From January 1, 2025, new care facilities will no longer be allowed to make a profit from care. If the others do not become charitable by the transition period of November 1, 2029, the state will provide new accommodation in the surrounding area. This is intended to ensure the care of those in need of care, explained Schneemann, who also emphasized that the majority of care is paid for by the public sector.
Tender for care bases in 2024
Reality shows that profits are skimmed off and this comes at the expense of the quality of care and staff, criticized Fürst. He also reiterated his criticism of the sale of Vamed to a French company. On this topic, he also referred to the board of trustees meeting of the Anton Proksch Institute, which he attended last Friday. The sale was on the agenda for the first time and he spoke out against it, emphasized Fürst.
The tender for the announced new 71 care bases was still open recently. Here we are in the “final phase”. According to Schneemann, the tender will take place this year.
A few days ago, Schneemann spoke to Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) about the expiry of the EU “Community Nurses” project at the end of the year. In the future, the federal states will be able to bill community nurses via the increased care fund, explained the state council. Burgenland will deploy such forces in all 28 care regions.
ÖVP identifies “two-tier care”
The ÖVP fears that the SPÖ model will lead to “two-tier care”. Nursing spokesman Thomas Steiner said in a statement: “Those who can afford it will choose their nursing facility and pay for it themselves. Those who don’t have the money for it will have to take what they get.”
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#Care #profit #orientation #Burgenland
What are the expected impacts of the amendment to the Social Institutions Act on the quality of care services in Burgenland?
**Interview with State Councilor Leonhard Schneemann on the Amendment to the Social Institutions Act in Burgenland**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, State Councilor Schneemann. To start, can you explain the main reasons behind amending the Social Institutions Act enacted in 2019?
**Leonhard Schneemann:** Thank you for having me. The amendment we are implementing is a direct response to a ruling by the Constitutional Court. It emphasizes our commitment to ensuring that state funds for care institutions are only allocated to non-profit organizations. As we’ve said before, care should not be a profit-driven endeavor. This change will help safeguard the quality and accessibility of care services for our community.
**Interviewer:** The new amendment extends the transition period from four to ten years. What factors influenced this decision?
**Leonhard Schneemann:** We recognized that the original four-year timeline might have placed undue pressure on some providers. By extending the transition period to ten years, we are allowing organizations the necessary time to adjust their structures and operations without compromising service quality. It’s crucial that we provide a sustainable path forward for all care providers in Burgenland.
**Interviewer:** How many organizations are currently impacted by this amendment, and what is the ratio of non-profit to for-profit facilities?
**Leonhard Schneemann:** There are 17 supporting organizations operating a total of 45 facilities in Burgenland. Currently, ten out of these 17 providers, managing 34 facilities, are already non-profit. This shows a strong foundation for our transition, but we want to support the remaining organizations in moving towards non-profit status.
**Interviewer:** Can you give us some insight into what this means for care providers and the residents they serve, starting January 1, 2025?
**Leonhard Schneemann:** Starting from January 1, 2025, any new care provider that wants to receive state funding will need to operate as a non-profit. This is a significant change aimed at ensuring that all funding goes directly towards enhancing the care and services for our residents rather than generating profits for shareholders. This shift guarantees that the focus remains on quality care and the well-being of those we serve.
**Interviewer:** what message do you wish to convey to both current care providers and residents of Burgenland regarding these changes?
**Leonhard Schneemann:** I want both our care providers and residents to understand that this amendment represents our unwavering commitment to high-quality, accessible care that prioritizes people over profits. We’re excited about the positive changes this can bring to our community and are here to support organizations through this transition. Together, we can build a stronger, more equitable care system in Burgenland. Thank you.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, State Councilor Schneemann, for sharing your insights. We appreciate your time.
