"Many people in Germany have had little or no access to medical care, according to a report released by the aid group Doctors of the World. Christian Stegmuller, who heads the organization's domestic programs, said Germany was failing to guarantee the right to medical care for everyone living in the country, pointing to a rising number of uninsured people and gaps in care for those with health insurance debt."
"Living on the streets or in shared shelters was linked to a higher incidence of illness, with respiratory diseases the most commonly diagnosed. About 88% of patients were uninsured, while 9% had limited coverage, mainly because of unpaid insurance contributions or restrictions under asylum benefit rules. People who fall behind on contributions for two months often receive only limited care, for example when their electronic health card is blocked."
Data from Doctors of the World clinics and mobile treatment units in Berlin, Hamburg and Munich show 2,254 patients received free treatment and advice last year in 7,403 consultations, including 1,133 first-time patients. Approximately 97% of patients were at risk of poverty, 88% had no fixed residence and 26% were homeless. Living on the streets or in shared shelters was associated with higher illness rates, especially respiratory diseases. About 88% of patients lacked insurance and 9% had limited coverage due mainly to unpaid contributions or asylum benefit restrictions; blocked electronic health cards limit care after two months of nonpayment.
Read at www.dw.com
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