On the draft law to accelerate the digitalization of the healthcare system (Digital Act - DigiG)

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The Association of the Diagnostics Industry (VDGH) expressly welcomes the objectives of the draft bill for a law to accelerate the digitalization of the healthcare system (DigiG) from the Federal Ministry of Health.

The draft bill contains numerous changes that will strengthen the patient-oriented digitalization of the healthcare system. From the VDGH's perspective, these include the following considerations

integrating the electronic patient file (ePA) and digital health applications (DiGA) more closely into healthcare,
further exploiting and making visible the potential that the use of data offers for insured persons and service providers,
reduce bureaucratic hurdles and make care more efficient across sectors,
make digital care concepts usable for disease management programs,
expand telemedicine solutions and remove barriers to the use of video consultations, as well as stabilize innovation funds.

In order to achieve the goal of patient-oriented digitalization, the VDGH still sees a need for changes to the Federal Ministry of Health's plan. Corresponding articles and paragraphs of the DigiG are underlined below and specific proposed amendments are highlighted in bold or crossed out accordingly.

In a nutshell: The Association of the Diagnostics Industry (VDGH)

As a trade association, the German Diagnostics Industry Association (VDGH) represents the interests of more than 100 companies operating in Germany with a total turnover of 6.8 billion euros in 2022. They manufacture examination systems and reagents for the diagnosis of human diseases, which generate a turnover of more than 3.5 billion euros, as well as instruments, reagents, test systems and consumables for research in the life sciences, which generate a turnover of 3.3 billion euros.

www.vdgh.de