Key Takeaways
- Prof. Josef Hecken strongly supports the amendments to the Healthy Heart Law, emphasizing that the revised legislation effectively balances early detection of cardiovascular risks with the prevention of a shift towards state-controlled healthcare.
- The G-BA is entrusted with regulating key aspects of the law, including setting thresholds for statin prescriptions and expanding preventive screenings for both genetically predisposed children and at-risk adults.
- While endorsing the law, Prof. Hecken expressed concern that primary prevention is not given enough emphasis, advocating for lifestyle changes as a more effective approach to preventing cardiovascular diseases than lifelong medication.
The German Federal Cabinet approved the draft of the Healthy Heart Law (Gesundes-Herz-Gesetz, GHG). This legislative development marks a crucial step in the ongoing efforts to combat cardiovascular diseases, a leading cause of mortality in Germany. Prof. Josef Hecken, the independent chair of the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA), has publicly expressed his support for the amendments introduced in the Healthy Heart Law, commending them as both correct and sensible.
Prof. Hecken highlighted the unwavering commitment to the primary objective of the Healthy Heart Law, which is to detect and mitigate the risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases as early as possible. “There was never any doubt about the core objective of these legal changes,” Hecken remarked. “The risk factors for cardiovascular diseases must be identified and addressed at the earliest stages to prevent severe health outcomes. The draft approved today is a testament to this goal, achieved through a meticulous review of current scientific evidence, extensive professional discussions, and a careful assessment of the benefits and risks involved.
It is a positive development that the federal government has taken into account the substantial concerns raised by the three independent G-BA members and many other organizations during the consultation process regarding the original regulations. The revisions made in the new draft significantly reduce the potential risk of the healthcare system shifting towards a more state-controlled model.”
New Law Empowers G-BA to Strengthen Heart Care Through Expanded Screenings and Evidence-Based Decision Making
The newly approved draft law entrusts the G-BA with the critical task of regulating the specific details of healthcare provision, continuing the Committee’s role as a key decision-making body in the German healthcare system. This includes the responsibility to determine threshold values for statin prescriptions, a decision that will be based on individual risk assessments in an ongoing procedural framework. Furthermore, the Healthy Heart Law mandates the expansion of early detection screenings for cardiovascular diseases, an area where the G-BA will play a pivotal role.
Prof. Hecken elaborated on the focus areas of these expanded screenings, noting the particular attention that will be given to children with a familial-genetic predisposition to cardiovascular diseases. “Our focus will be on preventive screenings for children who have a higher genetic risk of developing cardiovascular diseases later in life due to their family history. By identifying these risks early, we can implement preventive measures that may significantly reduce the likelihood of serious health issues in the future. Additionally, we will enhance preventive measures for adults by offering additional screening programs aimed at detecting cardiovascular risks earlier in life,” Hecken explained.
Hecken underscored the G-BA’s core competency in executing decisions through structured and evidence-based procedures. “The G-BA’s strength lies in its ability to implement decisions in a methodical and informed manner, drawing on a wealth of expertise and data. We approach this responsibility with a high degree of professionalism, reliability, and a deep sense of responsibility towards the health of the public. As with our other tasks, we will engage with all relevant medical-scientific societies, leverage the expertise of the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Healthcare (IQWiG), collaborate closely with patient representatives, and hold discussions with healthcare practitioners who are directly involved in patient care.
Balanced Approach in New Healthy Heart Law Emphasizes Both Early Detection and Primary Prevention
By building on this broad foundation, we will carefully evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each proposed intervention, ensuring that our decisions are well-founded and genuinely beneficial to patients. This approach facilitates the rapid development of medically sound decisions – eliminating the need for politically motivated, state-controlled medical mandates,” Hecken asserted.
Despite his overall support for the draft Healthy Heart Law, Prof. Hecken expressed some reservations, particularly regarding the emphasis placed on primary prevention in the Cabinet’s decision. He noted that the draft law still envisions a reallocation of resources within health insurance funds, shifting the focus from behavioral prevention to early detection measures. “While early detection is undeniably important, it is regrettable that the Cabinet’s decision does not fully recognize the critical importance of primary prevention.
In many cases, adopting a healthier lifestyle and making behavioral changes can be significantly more effective in preventing cardiovascular diseases than relying on lifelong medication. Primary prevention should be given the attention it deserves, as it holds the potential to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases more effectively and sustainably,” Hecken concluded.
This endorsement by Prof. Hecken, coupled with his cautionary remarks, underscores the importance of a balanced approach in healthcare legislation – one that prioritizes both early detection and primary prevention to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients. As the G-BA moves forward with its mandate to implement the provisions of the Healthy Heart Law, it will continue to play a crucial role in shaping the future of cardiovascular care in Germany, ensuring that patients receive care that is both scientifically sound and aligned with their best interests.
Reource: Gemeinsamen Bundesausschusses, August 28, 2024
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