Medical Studies: European Law Expert Warns of Consequences of "Solidarity Contribution"

Science Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner (SPÖ) suggests that medical graduates should contribute to the community in return for their free education. Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler specified that applicants who commit to working as a panel doctor should be given preference in the allocation of study places. Currently, six people apply for one study place. At present, 85 of the 1,900 study places are already reserved for public tasks, such as working in hospitals or the military. Graduates who commit to working in these areas after their training receive a scholarship and easier admission conditions.

European Law Expert Obwexer Fears New Infringement Procedure Due to "Solidarity Contribution"

In principle, EU member states are allowed to demand a solidarity contribution from medical students - such as tuition fees or a mandatory activity in the health system - emphasized European law expert Obwexer in the "Kurier" (Tuesday edition). However, according to the lawyer, prioritizing in the admission test in exchange for working in the Austrian health system would also be an admission that the current quota regulation is not (or no longer) suitable to secure the health system - and thus a "great danger that the quota regulation will collapse" and the EU Commission will initiate another infringement procedure against Austria.

Since 2006/07, 75 percent of the study places in medicine have been reserved for persons with an Austrian high school diploma in the admission test. This is intended to curb the influx of German numerus clausus refugees to medical universities. The EU Commission initially initiated an infringement procedure because of this. After Austria was able to demonstrate that otherwise the medical care in the country would not be secured, the regulation co-designed by Obwexer was finally approved.

Currently, the Ministry of Science is working on a possible new regulation for study access. According to "Krone", there is a meeting today with the Austrian National Union of Students (ÖH), next week the Austrian Health Insurance Fund and the federal states are to follow, and then the university rectors. It was also stated, according to "Kurier", that there is awareness of the danger that the quota regulation could collapse due to a switch to a system with prioritization.

"Solidarity Contribution": ÖVP Refers to Negotiations, NEOS "Critical"

In the government program, a "bonus in the selection process, based on a voluntary commitment to work in the solidarity health system" is mentioned as a lever to get more medical graduates into the public system. ÖVP General Secretary Nico Marchetti said to the "Presse" regarding the current initiative: "Concrete measures will be negotiated on this basis in the coalition." Meanwhile, the NEOS reacted with open skepticism: "We view the proposal very critically and see the solution more in making existing scholarships and panel contracts more attractive than in - also legally probably problematic - obligations."

Recently, there was already rejection from the Medical Association. The young doctors are highly motivated to continue working in the solidarity health care system after the Clinical Practical Year and the internship, but too often they languish "for months on waiting lists" due to a lack of training places. "The politics should think about this - and not about compulsory obligations."

(APA/Red)

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