Doctors call for end to powerful position held by health insurers

DutchNews.nl, March 12, 2015

A group of family doctors are again calling for action to reduce the powerful position occupied by health insurers, broadcaster Nos reports. 

Several dozen doctors from all over the country have put together a manifesto calling for action by both the health minister and health insurance companies, the broadcaster says. The manifesto states the doctors want the ministry and insurers to work with them on the basis of equality and trust in their medical expertise. 

Family doctor services are being destroyed by the introduction of market forces in 2006, the document states. ‘Pointless competition is being stimulated and essential alliances frustrated. Health insurers are dictating health agreements,’ it states. 

The doctors also want an end to the ‘explosion in healthcare bureaucracy’. Doctors are being saddled with too much administration to meet the ‘never-ending drive towards collecting data by health insurers’, they say. 

Earlier this week a survey by the family doctors’ association LHV found nine out of 10 doctors are unhappy with the contract they have signed with health insurance companies. 

In particular, doctors are unhappy that the association is not allowed to negotiate on their behalf because it would break anti-cartel legislation. Doctors are supposed to compete with each other to ensure the Dutch health system operates as a proper market.